"Indeed, only the light will burn away the shadows from our path to freedom, friends. Come, Sir Balin, and take my hand in friendship so that our God may light a path from this accursed place and free us from this wretched man's captivity." As Vandour enters the room after Nathanial, motioning subtly for the both of them to follow along. "While I am sure you're right about Timeon, I fear that whatever dark magics the man who trapped us in here is working may keep his soul from escaping this place. It wouldn't be fitting to leave such a brave, young soul to linger in a place like this, not when friends such as you and I might yet have a chance to save him."
Balin eyes Vaundour suspiciously, "You would appear to me to be a foe but if you are trapped here by the same madman who captured me then we shall be allies until we escape this place".
He finally points the crossbow to the floor. "I can assure you, this is not the way out, have you any other idea which way to go to escape this wretched place? Someone is watching over me to be sure, when I sleep, food and water are left for me. We must be vigilant else suffer attacks from the villains who have captured us".
He starts to walk towards the exit.
"REMEMBER ME, BALIN!?"
Grumble's strike lands solidly on Balin's chest and he takes a step back, "Deceit! I knew you to be enemies foul and in league with this beast! You shall feel the wrath of Mitra!"
Nathaniel
Grumblejack
Vaundour
Shalewigg
Soren
Balin
"The final test is upon them, do you believe they shall defeat this "hero" Morana?" the Cardinal asks as you watch the battle unfold.
Lothyrin gathers up his foul energies as he chants to himself and releases his magics upon the pretender. Fear Me
Balin sneers at the Oracle, "I fear nothing with the Light of Mitra upon me!"
"Then watch her light sputter and die before you, just like that miserable whelp you called a squire." Soren draws her musket and levels it at Balin, the ring of her musket fire echoing through the room and out the hallway towards the knight. "Oh, young Timeon... I never thought I'd find a more gullible fool, until we happened upon you, Sir Balin." The magic that clung to Soren's figure evaporates, leaving her black chain and leathers that bore Asmodeus's unholy sigil. "You are but the first of many that will fall before the Prince of Darkness as he claims this country; you should feel honored."
"The final test is upon them, do you believe they shall defeat this "hero" Morana?" the Cardinal asks as you watch the battle unfold.
Twisting the pendant around her neck as she watches the violence begin. Quickly lifting her head with a started expression when the Cardinal breaks the silence. They do have him rather outnumbered and they are your chosen so this battle should fall in their favor. A fight this unfair he has little choice but to fall. Bitterness creeps into her voice and she falls silent.
Turning back to the orb, Who is he?
The shot slams into the armor of Sir Balin denting the plating covering his back.
"It is you who are gullible, the Dark One will claim your soul and for you, an eternity of servitude! Meet your Master now to see what I mean!"
Shalewigg grins wickedly as a ray of negative energy springs from her hand directed at the Knight.
Balin enters a spin his sword striking out at all within his reach!
The Knights deadly spin splatters the blood of the villains across the room and the hall! Soren's armor spares her the worst of the strike.
The Cardinal grins at Morana as the Knight completes a spinning attack striking three of the four of the Cardinal's champions within his reach. "Let this be a lesson not to underestimate the enemy. Ever".
After allowing the point to settle for as moment her responds, "He is Sir Balin a Knight of Alerion, a man that would gladly behead you for being a witch. Feel no pity for him as he would offer you no fair fight in return".
"I DUB THEE DEAD!"
Though bruised and battered the half Ogre is still an impressive specimen. His hit brings the obviously skilled swordsman down to the ground, the impact on Balin's head so powerful that it has been compressed into his armor.
To the victors, the spoils. The pendant around the Knights neck is indeed the object you had been seeking. Still that is not the only thing that the Knight has on his person though it is clear the rest of the room is bare.
Grumblejack hit the fallen Mitran with his hammer one more time out of spite and then kicked the corpse, bellowing in Vandour's face when the little man had the gall to start picking away at his kill.
He huffed, his eyes dilated like an animals, the underdeveloped wings on his back twitching and grasping with his anger. He looked like he was about to take a swing at Vandour, but he stopped when he saw the bloody pendant in the scrawny elf's quick fingers. The ogre snorted, staring in challenge before nodding, allowing the other man to take the prize.
Then he grabbed the dead knight by the ankle and dragged him up the stairs like a great cat dragging a kill to it's lair.
Nodding her understanding of the Cardinals point but never taking her eyes off the images before her. I do not pity that man. He would be my enemy. I am simply not fond of the numbers of the fight though he seems to... The words die on her tongue as she watches the Knights head is destroyed.
Silently watching the following exchange and curious if the Ogre will attack his companion or not. He is more beast than man. Vedran's voice hisses in her mind, A violent and dangerous creature Morana. You should keep clear of that one. Frowning at his words she snaps back Oh be quiet. I have on desire to anger him. They are to be my companions. I will not shun them. Besides he was funny. His voice sounds so tired. This was a bad idea love. Practically screaming in her head No it was not! and the voice falls silent.
Turning to the Cardinal, Is that man usually so bestial? So driven by bloodlust like a wolf over a new kill?
"We have our prize, and a dead man. Strip him of his valuables, and let us be done with this test," Soren says, swinging her musket back onto her back. "I am ready to do something worthy of our skills, and serve our Master's infernal commands; I am a Hand of the Prince of Darkness, and I desire to do something more than fetch a trinket."
Nate kind of shakes his head and looks down at Balin's corpse. Wow. Remind me not to make any more jabs at Grumblejack... He kind of chuckles nervously and pokes the body. "Well I don't know about all that, but I'm eager to get out of here." He starts looting the body.
The Cardinal replies, "That is no man but a beast. A descendant of ogres and men. Actually, he was not my intended target to rescue but certain matters have come to my attention about him which show me that his presence here is no mere accident".
Morana sees the drow, half-drow? take the pendant from Sir Balin's neck. The half-ogre grunts at him then bends down to grasp the leg of the Knight dragging him behind, leaving a bloody blood trail in his wake.
"Ah, here they come. It is almost time for your test my dear, I hope you are ready".
Grumble follows the route that led the group here passing through the hallways with no opposition in sight. All traps bested, all enemies, well perhaps not all, defeated.
Soon enough the group following behind Grumble find themselves in the Cardinal's study. On his desk is seated a crystal ball to his right a young human woman none of you have seen before.
The Cardinal stands and addresses you all, "You've returned, I trust you have something for me besides a body which is presently ruining my very expensive carpet?"
Nathanial is tall and has the body of a well-conditioned athlete with lean muscles and a powerful frame. He has strait blonde hair that he keeps combed back, except on the sides that reveal two symmetrical burn scars that prevent any hair from growing. His eyes are a faint auburn color. On his right hand is a faint mark in the shape of a holy symbol of Asmodeus.
Nate gives an exasperated sigh, picking at the side of his head with a disinterested expression. "Grumble was pretty persistent on showing off his...work. I believe this is what you were looking for." He hands the silver and sapphire necklace to Thorn.
"Not showing off. Hungry. I killed him. He's mine. You f&@&ers can keep your damn hands off." Grumble rumbled.
|
Tall and lithe, like most of elven descent, Vaundour carried himself with a haughty air of privilege. With skin the dark, dusky blueish-purple of his father's people, and long, thick white hair tied off in a casual-seeming ponytail, he wpuld never be able to blend in with the rest of his human family and neighbors.
"Indeed, 'twas a most notable feat on mighty Grumblejack's part. There we were, caught off guard by the viscious knight's strength, even after being down in your basement for an unknown time. He had us on the ropes, on the edge of defeat, before Grumblejack comes in swinging, his fist almost taking the man's head off in ine fell swoop."
Morana is of an average height with dark skin the color of rich chocolate. Her hair hangs down to her chin and the cut is rough and uneven. The borrowed dress fits her well showing of her curves but not hiding the the thinness that has begun to settle in. Dark and haunted eyes move to take in the appearance of the newly arrived. There are the beginning of dark circles, earned by sleepless nights, under her eyes and a there is a thick scar on her full lips.
Uncertain of her place she maintains her silence until addressed. Keeping on hand holding and hiding a pendant hanging from her neck while she waits to see what happens next.
The high priest holds the trinket and pauses as if in deep contemplation. He watches the holy symbol glitter in the light. “A pretty enough thing, eh?” he muses.
“If you did not already know, this is a holy symbol of Mitra in particular the sort favored by the Knights of the Alerion. Perhaps you already knew that as well". The Cardinal smiles at Grumble.
He then turns to the young woman sitting next to him, "Remember this symbol. This is the mark of those who destroyed our faith and sought to banish all trace of the worship of our Father from these shores. These, my friends, are your enemies. Keep it", he says throwing it back to Nate.
"It may aid you in disguising yourselves.”
“You have done well. Escaping from Branderscar, slaughtering Sir Balin … yes, you are worthy".
He then turns to Shalewigg reaching into his desk he pulls open the drawer and hands her a pile of ashes, "My Master has rejected your offer. Though perhaps you will still serve another purpose".
Shalewigg's eyes narrow at the Cardinal and he hands do not reach up to take the proferred ashes.
"My friends. This is Morana, she wishes to join us but her late arrival did not allow for proper testing."
The Cardinal turns back to Morana, "While this one is not loyal she is worthy. Slay her and claim your place with the others..."
Glancing at the Cardinal while voice hisses in her head, This is what I was talking about. Let me out so you do not die! No time! Raising her hand to point at Shalewigg and saying, Fall.
Command is a DC 14 will save
Shalewigg shrugs off the effects of the spell, "I'll slay your newest pet Cardinal the same as I slew your worthless servant".
The woman's hair comes alive as if of its own volition and attempts to grapple MOrana but the witch slips away from her grasp.
Chanting quietly to himself in the corner Lothyrin attempts to call the magic coursing through his body to defend his comrade however he finds the tap cut off through some strange magics. Frustrated he stands aside and watches the battle unfold between the two women.
Soren, unlike some of her others, doesn't struggle against the magic that prevents her from interfering. She simply stands and watches, her gaze unwavering as the two fight against one another. "I swore that if her loyalty were to waiver, I would deal with her myself." Soren brushes a lock of her hair from her face before crossing her arms across her chest, her lithe figure clad in black leathers and chain with Asmodeus's unholy symbol painted in white across the breastplate. "This new servant... I will defer to her judgment, Cardinal, but if she falls I will deal with this defector myself; I have sworn it before my Lord."
It is not like the weak deserve to live anyways. Nate happily sits back and watches the duel ensue.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Grumble tears off Sir Balin's arm, biting into the meaty shoulder while he watched the women fight.
His voice hiss in her mind, You are expendable to these people. Growling at it Shut up!. Taking a few steps to the side and pulling the stolen sword from her side and casting a spell.
Morana casts a spell and shimmering armor appears around her protecting her form.
Shalewigg draws her weapon and strikes at the newcomer.
Morana's shield is raised just in the nick of time as the Scimitar nearly severs an artery in the witches neck!
Staring at the bloody scimitar with wide eyes. I am going to die! Awkwardly swinging her sword at the other woman.
Enough," Soren says, matter-of-factly. Her off-hand still carries the shield of the fallen Sir Balin, and her other grasps the hilt of her heavy mace as its pulled from it strap at her thigh. "I will not watch this... game continue, Cardinal. I swore not just to you, but to my Lord that if Shalewigg was to be deemed disloyal, I would deal with her personally. If this continues, this woman you have found, whom Asmodeus claims is worthy, will die and I will be forced to put down this insolent defector regardless." Soren strides forward, placing her body and shield between Morana and Shalewigg, the head of her mace twitching upwards as Soren flexes her wrist.
"Here my call, God-Fiend; as I have sworn, I will put down this traitor in your name. Fill my body with thine unholy wrath, so that I might crush this traitor in your name." As Soren prays, she feels her body surge with strength, and she growls at Shalewigg. "Your lack of loyalty rests on my shoulders, and I will purge it. Face me, coward!"
Soren steps forward ready to strike down Shalewigg, simultaneously Morana's short sword enters Shalewigg's frame.
The witch shudders, spits blood and slumps to the floor, "Curse you, curse you all". she whispers.
As Morana manages to gain a lucky strike against Shalewigg, Soren watches the witch crumple towards the floor. "Our trials may have said otherwise, but you're not worthy to serve my Lord," Soren remarks, shaking her head as she drops the shield to the floor, her defenses no longer needed against her helpless opponent. "I put my trust in you, Shalewigg. You swore fealty to me in the eyes of Asmodeus, and I swore that I would be complacent in your misdeeds if I did not deal with you myself..." Soren kicks what's left of Shalewigg's balance out from under her, and places one foot on the witch's chest. "This woman is not only worthy of being your replacement, but her loyalty does not falter." Soren presses down with her heel, driving her foot into Shalewigg's already open and bleeding wound, no expression on her face.
"Hear me, Asmodeus. This woman, this traitorous whelp, I offer her soul in your name. Tear her from her master and drag her soul to the Nine Hells, where she might suffer for her insolence." With that, Soren whips her heavy mace around into Shalewigg's head, and a sickening crack accompanies it as the witch's neck is clearly broken by the force of the blow. "For the God-Fiend." She takes her foot off of Shalewigg's chest, replacing her mace in its strap at her hip. "Cardinal Thorn, we have all passed the trials placed before us; all I ask is that I might be allowed to serve Asmodeus by doing more than fetching trinkets and slaying vermin."
The Cardinal turns to Tiadora and points to Shalewigg's lifeless form, "Feed her to the Dragon, he is no doubt hungry". As the woman who is not a woman strips the corpse of her goods and valuables she looks at Soren and Morana, "To the victors the spoils". She then carries the boy of your former comrade away.
"You are correct Soren the time for trinkets has passed. Forget not the Nine Lessons you have learned as they are the tenets to our Faith. Now, let us complete your training”.
Tiadora opens the side door entering with the corpse of the human named Shalewigg. She closes the door and drops her to the floor.
"Eat quickly, your breakfast grows cold Wyrm".
She then unfurls a scroll and watches you waiting.
Nate chuckles as the woman falls. "Oh yes, he will be happy about that."
Outside in the barn Aurex licks his chops and wordlessly dines in; it has been so long since he has had a good meal of fresh meat, and particularly human meat which is his favorite. He roasts the upper half and feasts on it, then stores the rest for later. He eyes the scroll. "Are you sure you couldn't simply open a window? I detest being a two-leg."
Breathing deeply and staring at the scene before her. One hand has worked its way back to the pendant on her neck and the other loosely holds her bloodied sword while she gazes at the blood and body on the ground. He growls at her in her mind, Morana wake up! They will think you are an idiot and you seem to want to be here. Blinking slowly she sees a out of place little spider. Pointing at it. I want the spider. Please.