The Press of Humanity (DM Cayzle) Monday April 15th, 2002 6:55:38 AM
Sly and Sir Thomas remain in the Concourse, slicing at the many shadowy arms that are trying to touch them. There must be dozens! But both manage to dodge their reaching grasps.
The rest of the group escapes into daylight, although Jurgen fires a spell into the darkness first. The light loosens the shadows on Ilsidur's and Trace's hearts, but they still feel weak (remember, -2 strength!).
Outside, the court of temples is filled with people! And they are all streaming off in the same direction -- towards the north, towards the rhythic sound. To leave the desecrated Temple of Alemi, to enter the crowd, would mean being carried off with the press of humanity.
Sir Thomas - shaken, bless weapon, protected d20=19 d20=16 d20=3 d10=8 d10=10 Monday April 15th, 2002 10:22:23 AM
After successfully dodging the arms again Thomas is inspired. He laughs at the darkness, a crazed and unnatural scream, "Alemi holds me in his palm! You cannot have me! You are dirt beneath my feet." Thomas is not completely out of his mind though. He takes a few steps toward the front door where his friends have already begun to go, but he notices Sly fighting only a few yards from him. Not willing to leave his friend to face the darkness without knowing that he can hurt it, Thomas steps toward Sly and gives attacks the arms with a sweeping attack to keep the arms at bay if not to hurt them. (Rolled 16 + 14 = 30 to hit; rolled 8 + 6 = 14 dmg) He dodges their groping grasps (rolled Reflex 19 + 5 save -2 shaken + 2 protected = 24) He then commands Sly to leave. "Sly, I don't know if I can stay much longer. You need to run. This is not an option. I am on your heels. RUN!!" Thomas takes another swing at the darkness to show Sly that he has things under control. (Rolled 3 + 8 = 11 to hit; rolled 10 + 6 = 16 dmg) He then successfully ducks the grasp of one of the arms and smiles because he knows Alemi is on his shoulder.
[OOC: No CS so you may want to check my modifiers. I think they are correct though]
Sly Foxx and Luke d20+8=12 Monday April 15th, 2002 12:03:41 PM
OOC: Made roll of fleeing 12.
Sly was about to put all of his strength in to this low swing when Sir Thomas grab and holds his arm. Sir having more strength and experience than Sly, was surpassed. When sly was told to go. . . Now! He look at Sir Thomas and open his mouth "But... But... All right I going now, Sir" Sly leaves and call Luke to him.
Sly joins the others and waits to see if Sir Thomas is behind him. "He better be here or I'll go get him."
Jurgen Tuesday April 16th, 2002 12:21:52 AM
The young boy rolls his eyes at the oncoming runners, it seems they decided to follow along. It was strange, he was just thinking about them being stupid... and then they come. "Oh! Maybe I have powers that make people do what I think!" Jurgen puts this out of his mind, and decides to be ready for the oncomming machine.
He prepares to cast his Fireball, but only when the machine heads towards the group. He hopes that they'll be out of the way by the time he does it, but is willing to burn them if it'll stop whatever this is. He wants to make it follow the machine, staying on it. So it'll burn for the entire duration, hopefully. If not, then they might be in a tad of trouble.
Trace and Radiant (-2 to str) Tuesday April 16th, 2002 3:51:17 AM
(ooc: hopefully the -2 is temporary effect)
Trace tries to ready his bow again but the ache in his chest continues to bother him. "That thing in there, its shadow cut through me but I felt nothing and now I feel pain. Anyone know what this is that I am feeling? This is the first time I have been worthless in a fight and I dont like the helpless feeling I have." Trace drops to one knee to steady himself while holding his bow and a readied aim at the door for anyone else other than Sir Thomas.
The Press of Humanity II (DM Cayzle) Tuesday April 16th, 2002 7:53:52 AM
At last, Sly and then Sir Thomas leave the temple too, hacking at the shadows as they leave.
Standing on the Temple stairs, the group looks at the crowd milling and moving, a river of people in motion. It is clear that if the group wants to go forward, they will be carried by the crowds streaming northward. Unless they sprout wings -- or cast Fly!
Sir Thomas sees his warhorse making his way through the crowd. The faithful mount is trying to get to the temple as quickly as possible without injuring anybody. He signals Sir Thomas mentally.
Sly notices something in the pocket of his soiled and torn Black Robe -- a piece of paper.
[OOC: You folks might want to use this moment for introductions?]
Altemia d20+13=27 Tuesday April 16th, 2002 11:50:21 AM
The short slender elf looks back inside the temple hoping that that machine was not coming out (Spot 27). Her green eyes peer into the darkness and back out at the crowd. Altemia shivers a bit, not liking their position. Her very light blond hair is pulled back into a braid, but it is beginning to come undone after all they had just gone through. Her leather armor is well cared for as are the scimitar and sickles strapped to her sides.
Her sharp eyes catch the piece of paper from Sly's robe. "What's that you've got there, Big Brother? I saw several of their priests in the corral as I was trying to free the people. One of them also had a scroll in his hand, but I didn't think to grab it."
Jurgen Tuesday April 16th, 2002 12:17:45 PM
Jurgen franticlly looks about, wondering what is going on. Where were they? This certainly wasn't near the mountain. With a silent curse, he realizes that they were in a worse situation then before. Now there were more people involved. If they had stayed inside, they would have been the only ones hurt. It could get messy and to top it all off, he didn't know these people. It was a sticky situation, but Josephine always said 'You have to work with what you've got'. She'd always done so, even though it could become hard.
"Um... Hi. I don't suppose you know what we can do? I don't know where we are and so I'll just follow you people, I guess. We have to stop that machine, or else it'll kill all these people. Do you know a way to make the building collapse? That would probably stop it." He stutters a couple of times, trying to concentrate and think.
"I have some magics, but I don't really know if they'll help. I can make a sphere of fire and a few other things, but I don't know if that can help. Unless anyone knows a weakness in the building's make..." He holds still, still ready to let that Fireball go at the machine if it comes out.
"Oh yeah, I'm Jurgen!"
Willim the Drifter Tuesday April 16th, 2002 3:32:57 PM
Bow still readied to fire at any enemies who exit the door, the drifter speaks out to anyone, " This is insane. I don't know where I am or how I got here. I get around, so there are a few things I know which may be related. We more than likely all know that the God of War has died and prophets have been foretelling the end of the wold. I have travelled many places all across this continent to find out anymore on this that I could. I learned that the cities Lankhmar and Ailthmar both just took off into the air and flew away. My god that is mad. There are wars and battles everywhere. The last thing I remember is heading for Plateau city to check out rumours of an army loyal to Marteus, the Dark Lord, headed for there from South Harbor. After that is a blur, darkness...cultists...birds...and then I was here, wherever here is as a cultist against my own will. Somehow I found the will to remove the medallion which controlled me. That is when you guys showed up. I am called Willim the Drifter and I am damn glad to see you guys."
Sly Foxx and Luke Tuesday April 16th, 2002 4:31:23 PM
Sly listens to Altemia and smiles. Then look in his pocket and takes the piece of paper (which is about to fall out of his pocket anyway). Sly is about to read the paper when the two prisoners come up and want to know where they are.
"Welcome to who knows where. You sound like a wizard with a streak of a good fighter, maybe you can tell us what this paper is for? Oh! by the way They call me Sly Foxx and this wardog is Luke." Sly look at Luke and tells the dog that their are friends. "And you Sir, Mr. Willim the Drifter? is your name? Sound like your a fighter with a little of a thief mix in? Am I right." Don't worry we welcome you to our group, But I don't know if you will want to stay? For we are known as the Southern Light." Sly hold his hand up and shows them the tattoo in his palm. "See! and these black devils really don't like us. But your welcome to stay." For the first time in a while Sly smiles at the two stranger. "Hey! Big brother! come here and meet some new friends." Yells the half Elf.
Sir Thomas - shaken, bless weapon, protected Tuesday April 16th, 2002 9:44:24 PM
Thomas comes running out of the temple a few moments after Sly. He is breathing quite heavy from all of the exertion and running, but he manages to stop before trampling anyone in his rush to flee from the darkness. He sees the crowd of people and becomes amassed in fears of all kinds. --Will this make the machine more powerful if it kills all of the people? How will we few ever fight so many? . . . -- And the chain continues.
Thomas quickly pushes that to the back of his mind when he senses Pryte-Honos' presence and then spots him in the crowd. Thomas has the urge to rush into the crowd to meet his friend, but he knows that he does not have the strength of the horse and so forces himself to wait. While waiting he introduces himself to the two captives and any others that stand with the group as the crowd rushes past. "Hello to you two." Thomas salutes with his sword and keeps it unsheathed in case its services are still needed. "Jurgen you say? and Willim? I am Sir Thomas Hurley. I represent Alemi . . . and to some degree I still represent the fallen Domi. He lives in my heart you see. Lucky for you we decided to search my home rather than Marteus's." He flashes an unnerved grin to show that he's not really sure it had anything to do with luck.
Thomas waits anxiously for Pryte to wade through the crowd of people while he looks nervously over his shoulder for the darkness or the machine.
Sir Thomas addition Tuesday April 16th, 2002 9:46:51 PM
Thomas takes a moment to lean into Sly and whisper, "Keep a stiff upper lip my friend. when we rest tonight I would like to have a word with you. That is IF we get to rest tonight." Thomas pats his friend on the shoulder to reinforce Sly's strength. "We'll make it through."
Trace and Radiant (-2 to str) d20+3=5 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 4:55:57 AM
Trace nods to each intro in respect and waits for the groups direction. (rolled wisdom check for knowlage of structure, Origianl profession was engineer. Trace then grasp his sap hardened holly leaf and whispers "d'mass as he touches Radaint on his foot. (Magic fang +1 attack +1 to dmg.)
Ilsidur (-2 to STR, Magic circle vs evil) Wednesday April 17th, 2002 8:49:08 AM
Ilsidur stops at the doorway and leans on his axe, watching the sea of people wash by. He turns back to the party, and says, "Well, it seems we are caught between a rock and a hard place, again, with no idea which way to turn. I agree with ... Jurgen, is it? We need to stop that machine before it gets to these people, and grows out of sight. However, it seems that the strength-draining effect of the machine is halted in the sunlight. Perhaps if we face the machine outside here in the open air, it will be less powerful, and more susceptible to our magics and weapons. What say we give it a try here?" [OOC: Cayzle, is there room for us to fight the machine here on the steps, or is there no room between the doorway to the temple, and the mass of people moving past?]
Then Ilsidur turns to the two strangers, and says, "Well met. I am Ilsidur Wayfinder, initiate of Marmathon Dur, god of exploration and discovery. I have been with the Southern Lights for a year and a half. You are welcome to join up with us to get out of here, and we can surely use your sword and magic."
The Press of Humanity II (DM Cayzle) d20=2 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 1:58:22 PM
Altemia looks back into the Temple, and sees only darkening and thickening shadows. Is there something deeper in? She can't tell.
Jurgen prepares to cast his spell into the darkening shadows, but holds off for now since there is not target.
Willem, also prepped for fight, offers his news of the Wold.
Sly looks at the paper from his pocket -- it looks like a spell, but not one he understands. Maybe it is Divine Magic?
Sir Thomas urges Pryte to join them, and after a minute or two the warhorse makes it over to the base of the steps to the Temple.
Trace takes a good look around, and sees no sign that the structure is a source of any danger. He casts a spell in case more battle is on the way.
Ilsidur considers attacking the machine on the steps in daylihgt, but there is no indication by sound at least that the machine is nearby. The shadows within the Temple are thickening, though. They look almost tangible.
All Shaken and Fear effects has faded now that you are in daylight. But Trace and Ilsidur are still weakened.
Out in the crowd, you notice that an old lady has fallen and seems in danger of being trampled. "Help! Help!" she calls.
Jurgen d20+5=19 d20+4=17 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 8:29:41 PM
The talented mage sees no spell which can help him crush the building, nor one that can save the lady. He hits his hands against his head, disguisted at his incapablities. He briefly wonders if the rest of the group could save her, but realizes that they would take far too long. He grabs hold of the rope around his waist, handing it to one of his allies. If none will take it, then he ties it to anything that is stable (a pillar if possible).
He then rushes headlong towards the fallen lady, attempting to push people out of the way as fast as possible. Upon reaching the madam, he helps her up and tries to make sure she is stable. He then lets another spell go off, this one focused on the one he just helped. He surrounds her with an invisible barrier, protecting her from hits of the oncoming crowd.
[Concentraction Check, to cast while the people attempt to run by. 19]
[Mage Armor, +4 AC to the fallen lady]
"Hurry, Get out of here! If it comes, you'll all perish!" Jurgen the tries to pull himself back to where he was, moments ago. He has high hopes that the group will help him, if not then he would have to struggle against the Press of Humanity.
[OOC: I rolled a reflex save, in case the Press of Humanity was strong enough that I couldn't complete my task. Got a 17, on it.]
Sir Thomas - bless weapon, protection d20=2 Wednesday April 17th, 2002 10:17:04 PM
When Pryte-Honos finally arrives at the temple Thomas hugs his friend around the neck and kisses him on the muzzle. Good to have you around friend. Thomas is soothed by the presence of his friend.
Seeing the woman fall and the determination in Jurgen's eyes to help her, Thomas accepts the rope. He tries to stop Jurgen from plunging into the crowd by saying that Pryte just made it through, and he could go back for the lady, but the man is gone before Thomas can finish his thoughts. In an effort to help, he mounts Pryte and wraps the rope around the pummel of the saddle. Pryte stands firmly against the strain of the rope as people are shoved into it. When Jurgen has hold of the lady, Thomas commands Pryte to walk backwards to aid Jurgen in his return trip. Thomas is careful not to let Prtye walk back into the shadows.
"Where are all of these people coming from? They are like Lemmings." Thomas stands in the saddle quickly to try to see where they are heading. (Spot 2 + 2 = 4 my usual poor spot check)
Willim the Drifter Thursday April 18th, 2002 12:30:47 AM
Willim stands still ready to fire his bow as soon as it is required. " I hope you guys have something up your sleeves. I don't know what a few arrows are going to do to that thing."
Trace and Radiant (-2 to str) Thursday April 18th, 2002 2:43:31 AM
"Sorry yall........I am blank.....I can't think of a single thing to do. We can sit and wait to fight again or wait for the mass to pass by or last but last choice, use the cards to get us out of hear." Trace stands to see what everyone else thinks.
Sly Foxx and Luke Thursday April 18th, 2002 4:00:39 AM
Sly takes the paper and look at it, then answers Altemia," Looks like a spell? I don't know what kind? I wonder if the new guys might know.." Sly makes his way over to where the two were and sees Jurgen go after the woman. "What happen?" no clue Sly ask.
Altemia d20+13=19 Thursday April 18th, 2002 5:52:52 AM
Altemia takes a look at the scroll over Sly's shoulder. She keeps an eye out, both to the crowd and into the temple, for trouble coming their way (Spot 19).
Ilsidur Thursday April 18th, 2002 8:41:23 AM
Ilsidur shouts, "Thomas, pull him back in; I can get that lady!" He drops his backpack, shield and crossbow, and casts fly on himself, then makes full speed to the struggling old woman. He lands as near to her as possible and scoops her up, flying back to the entrance to the temple. [OOC: Cayzle, if you need for Ilsidur to make any rolls for these actions, please do so.]
Once back on the step, Ilsidur says, "I can carry the lightest of you, if you take off your gear. But there is no way I can fly us all to safety."
Then he turns to the old woman, and asks, "How is it that you are not taken up in this blind rush? Where is everyone headed?"
Swept up in a River of People (DM Cayzle) Thursday April 18th, 2002 3:42:14 PM
Jurgen ties his rope, hands one end to Sir Thomas, and strikes out into the river of people. Unlike a water river, however, the people don't flow around the rope. Okay, a few go under, but some fall, and there is a huge traffic jam. Thomas, having tied the rope to Pryte's saddlehorn, holds firm. Then one man draws a short sword and hacks through the rope!
Meanwhile, Jurgen makes it to the woman, casts the spell, and helps her to her feet. She locks onto Jurgen's wrist with a bony but iron hand. He sees that her eyes are white with cataracts, and she must be blind, but she is looking right at him.
"The Child of Chaos," she cackles! Jurgen's tattoo tingles for the second time today.
But the press of humanity has already carried him away from his newfound friends, headed north. The old woman's voice carries, and all feel a strange tingle in their tattooed hands.
Jurgen and the old woman are carried across the plaza and past the Black Temple of Marteus on the other side of the plaza.
Altemia has looked at the parchment and sees that it is a divine spell. It reads: Pour Life
Necromancy Level: Druid/Cleric 3 Components: V, S, M Casting Time: Ten minutes Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target: The Machine Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No
When this scroll is read, the caster pours her life energy (in hit points) into the machine. The caster loses 120 percent of her maximum hit points -- if this loss drives the caster to -10 hit points, she will die. When the machine has absorbed enough hit points, it will use that energy to draw even more into itself from people nearby. This sets off a chain reaction, until all the energy from all the people within a dozen miles are drained. What happens next is unclear, except that the machine will use the energy to "open the door."
Ilsidur casts his spell (after the rope is cut, unfortunately) and flies off, headed for Jurgen and the old woman. He could carry either one back with him, taking both in two trips, but the woman will not let go! She begins wailing feebly, but her grip is that of a blacksmith!
But thanks to Ilsidur, there seems little danger of the two groups losing touch right now. Soon, however, the distance between Jurgen and the woman on one hand, and the rest of the group on the other, will grow!
Sir Thomas - protection, bless weapon Thursday April 18th, 2002 7:21:14 PM
Thomas watches as the events unfold unfortunately for the group. Seeing Jurgen and Ilsidur struggle with the crowd and the situation with the old lady Thomas acts quickly. "What a bad time to be separated." He hands Sly the pummel end of his sword. Sternly he also offers, "Hold onto this. If the darkness comes after you, you know what to do." (bastard sword +1 with bless weapon cast on it.) Thomas pulls his only dagger from its sheath at his belt. He spurs Pryte-Honos forward toward Jurgen and the old lady, "hold on Ilsidur! I'm coming to help." He and Pryte fight through the crowd. When they get to the struggling pair he accpets one or the other onto Pryte's seat and lets Ilsidur take the other. They then return to the temple steps.
Sly Foxx and Luke Thursday April 18th, 2002 8:17:17 PM
Sly is about to ask Sir Thomas about the Spell on the Scroll, Since every body else is busy with one thing or another. When Sir Thomas gives him his sword, Sir Thomas trust him with his sword, Sly looks up at the departing Palatine, "But... But... I... have... " Oh well, he handles the sword for balance them move to a place where that thing might come out. "Stay safe. Little Sister I'm on another quest" Then Sly takes a stance for a fight. "I'm ready."
Trace and Radiant (-2 to str) Friday April 19th, 2002 1:48:43 AM
Trace still looking a bit pale from the affects of the shadow arms on him sees Sir Thomas hand over his sword. While he mounts Pryte he moves over and hands him his plus one long sword to Sir Thomas. "Here friend, I have two other swords, thake this and get our friends, be carefull. I will attempt to hit the old lady with arrows so that she will drop her grip." After handing over the sword Trace readies his Bow for a called shot. "Thomas, if your taken too we will follow and cut our way through the mass of people to get yall back. This cant end this way. IT WON'T! God speed Sir." Anger and frustration shows on Trace's face as yet once again the mark of chaos on his hand burns deep red as his anger.
Sir Thomas - protection Friday April 19th, 2002 8:48:27 AM
Thomas quickly accepts Trace's sword, but as her rides off he tells his friend not to shoot the old lady because we are trying to save her.
Jurgen Friday April 19th, 2002 1:26:09 PM
The boy is again a captive, having only escaped the first situation seconds ago. Having the machine eat him looked to me much better then being crushed to death.
"I'm not a child of Chaos! Honest!" Jurgen spits out, while being dragged. He knows he should escape, but this lady knows something about the tattoo. "What is it? Please! Tell me!!!" He tries to hold fast, protecting the lady and stay still. If the rest of the group could arrive, then they'd be safe and Jurgen could find out what is wrong... and where he is.
Ilsidur (flying, -2 STR, magic circle vs evil) d20+3=6 Friday April 19th, 2002 1:52:02 PM
Ilsidur tries to break the old woman's hold on Jurgen's arm. [OOC: opposed strength check vs DC6.] He shouts at the old lady, "Let the arm go! Grab onto me and I can get you to safety!" If she lets go, he flies her to safety, and leaves Jurgen to be taken by Sir Thomas and his horse. After getting her safely back to the temple, he flies over the crowd, keeping Sir Thomas and Jurgen in sight, and helping them if he can. If the lady doesn't let go, he calls to Jurgen and Sir Thomas, "You need to break her hold; there is no way that I can carry two people out of here!"
The Children of Chaos (DM Cayzle) 10d10(1+4+3+10+2+1+8+1+10+8)=48 Friday April 19th, 2002 6:52:02 PM
Sir Thomas rides off to the aid of Jurgen and the old woman. He finds it easy to catch up, since everyone is going that way. But would be impossible to go back. without trampling innocents.
Ilsidur hovers overhead as Sir Thomas, Jurgen, Pryte, and the woman form a slowly moving island heading north in the river of people. It looks like every single person in Abandon is headed north.
Back on the temple steps, Altemia, Trace, Willem, and Sly stand looking at their far-off friends, who are almost out of sight. From behind them is a rumbling. They feel a sprinkling of dust and a vibration that makes their hearts pause. The Temple is shuddering, in time with the beating marching sound that continues to come from the north. Rocks begin to fall from the facade of the ediface. One huge block crashes down, almost killing Sly -- only a tingle from his tattoo warned him in time to step aside! There is no more choice -- this place is not safe. The four must depart!
Entering the river of people, the four quickly catch up with Sir Thomas, Ilsidur, Jurgen, Pryte, and the woman. Swept up by the crowd, the group finds itself moving north past buildings, streets, plazas, great houses ... until finally they are pushed up against the northern Town Wall. Pryte is in no danger, but the press is so great it seems crushing and dangerous to smaller creatures.
From the other side of the wall the marching and drumming has grown louder and louder!
The old woman is especially vulnerable to the press of people. "Oh! Oh!" she wheezes. "Help Moragh! Help me! Please! Air! Up! Air for Moragh!"
There is a ramp nearby, leading to the top of the wall, and it seems the best course to ascend.
From the top of the wall, the group can only stand in horriffic awe. Spread out before them is the largest army they have ever seen! Out to the horizon, there are company after company of every foul creature imaginable. Hordes of ghouls and deformed undead! Legions of ogres and bugbears! Countless numbers of lesser goblinkin and orc-kind! Squads of giants, flocks of dragons, and worse upon worse! All marching to the beat of their own feet hitting the earth.
Those beats are matched by dry lightning that crashes out of he roiling clouds overhead.
The sky is black with bats over the army. And either there is something wrong with perspective, or those bats -- hundreds and hundreds of them -- are 10 or more feet across!
There are also divisions of humans, armored and weaponed in black, led by humans in black robes.
This vast army begins about 1,000 feet away from the City Walls. It continues to march, East to West, as you look northwards. But one huge figure is not marching. It is a Giant, maybe a Storm Giant -- certainly the biggest humanoid you have ever seen. He stands at least 60 feet tall. and the 10-foot wingspan bats flying around him look like common bats in comparison. But the most chilling thing is that his face is pale, pale white, and when lightning flashes, you see that he casts no shadow.
The City Gates open, and a delegation of Black-Robed humans advance to greet the Giant bowing low.
When her blind milky eyes fall on this hideous undead storm Giant, the old woman, Moragh, shrieks a high-pitched tone that pierces your ears. She goes into an epileptic fit and speaks with a powerful voice that sounds unearthly and attacks your minds as well as their ears:
"These bear the power of Chaos! Let the enemy fear them and run before them for they are the Children of Chaos! Trust your hope in them for they are blessed by the Powers!"
The tattoos on your hands are throbbing painfully.
The Black Robes rise and address the Giant, but their words are too soft to hear. The words of the Giant, however, carry for miles:
The fall of the old powers is at hand! The new gods rise! The orders change! The Wold moves on, carried by the power of the Night!
The clouds thicken and the bats gather so that it becomes dark as midnight. The vast army is hidden in the blackness, although the infernal marching sound continues. You all hear a disturbing humming from the heart of the city -- it is the same humming that the foul machine made, but much louder. Only two figures are clearly illuminated in this vista of despair: The undead storm Giant, wreathed in lightning -- and the convulsing Moragh, who is somehow surrounded and bourne up by a brilliant white light. Lightining strikes all around. A watch tower on the wall is hit, and it falls into the crowd. By the screaming, many people are hurt or dead. Moragh screams in a tortured voice:
"This is the beginning of the end of The Wold! Behold the slayer of all life!"
As if in counterpoint, the Giant answers, although surely he could not hear her over the thunder. The huge undead figure speaks:
The truth of the Dark Master is clear! The pathetic powers allied with Alemi the Weak are doomed! The Dark Master has declared open war on gods! The old gods will be slain by mortals! Even a lowly orc can deal the death blow to a Divine Power. Darkness falls at last!
Moragh speaks again, the words ripped out of her throat as if by some inhuman agency:
"AAAIIIIIEEEE He speaks the truth! There is a way! Mortals can defeat a god! I can see it happening ... I can ..."
The light dwindles around Moragh. She grabs hold of Ilsidur, saying in a voice now weak, no longer filled with power, "Thee! Thee must find out how to do this! Find the answer. Find out how to kill a god or The Whole Wold is doomed. Even this fell realm!"
"Thee must!!!"
A lightning bolt falls from the sky and drives into the old woman's skull. Ilsidur, please make a reflex save vs. DC 16 or take 48 hp damage (half if you save). The woman is dead.
When you recover your vision from the flash of lightning, you see that the darkness has lifted somewhat. The Giant is somehow holding lightning in his hands! The sound of the machine rises to an insane pitch. Using the lightning in his hands like a knife, the Giant slashes a hole in midair, grabs the cut, and pulls it apart. As he does so it grows, and through the opening he has carved from nothing, you see what is clearly the road outside Threshhold, just after sunset. The vast army begins to march through the hole that the Giant holds open.
On the top of the wall, people are beginning to fall over, asleep, dead, or worse. The fallen look drained and very pale. The humming of the machine grows. Lightning continues to strike, scorching those who are standing and those who are not. As if a spell has been broken, the people begin to flee in terror. Others just fall over, like scraps of peels and bones tossed aside after a feast.
What do you do?
Sir Thomas Friday April 19th, 2002 11:47:02 PM
Thomas quickly re-exchanges weapons with Trace and Sly as soon as the opportunity arises. Sitting astride Pryte-Honos, Thomas is obviously the largest of the group that stands upon the wall. Not knowing even remotely how to go about doing what the old lady suggested, Thomas follows his heart. He holds his tattooed hand up so that the swirling mark faces the giant. He stands in the saddle and provokes the evil one. "If mortals can deal the death blow to gods, then you had better keep an eye on me Cult God! I will find out what will kill you, and then I will perform the action. You should have stayed in the dark corners that you used to inhabit." With the end of his shouted statement, Thomas spurs Pryte down the ramp until he cannot see the army beyond. Thomas stops when he is out of sight and suggests to his friends, "we have two options, stay here of follow through the portal. We might stand a better chance if we stay and search Marteus' temple. How to kill a god! . . . any other ideas?" (Thomas will offer his lay on hands to Ilsidur somewhere in the mix. If he takes the offer he receives up to 24 hit points back.)
Ilsidur d20+3=5 d20+3=17 d20+6=7 Saturday April 20th, 2002 12:53:03 AM
Ilsidur climbs the ramp to the top of the wall, and looks out in shock at the massed army below the party. He listens in wonder and dread at the bizarre exchange between the old woman and the undead giant, and searches inside himself for his link to Marmathon Dur. He realizes that if the gods have truly become mortal, he must do everything he can to defeat this Dark Master and his allies, to complete his part in protecting his lord.
As the lightning bolt strikes, Ilsidur jumps back from the woman-turned-lightning-rod, but the fallout from the bolt still shocks and burns the dwarf's body. [OOC: The first roll was a failure, but the luck domain ability allows me to try a second roll; I must keep the results of the second roll. The second roll was a successful save, so Ilsidur only took half damage.]
Ilsidur wracks his brain, trying to think how a god can be killed by a mere mortal, but nothing comes to mind. [OOC: Automatic failure for knowledge (religion) roll.] He calls to the party, "The only thing that I can think of is to try to find that priest that we ran into earlier. He might have some advice."
Trace and Radiant (-2 to str) Saturday April 20th, 2002 1:54:37 AM
"I agree with Ilsidur, Lets find the priest so that we may have a fighting chance. What about that machine?"
Sly Foxx and Luke Saturday April 20th, 2002 7:10:34 PM
After getting out of that masse river of people. Sly gives the swords to their owners, and watches every thing that went on. Staring and listening, petting his dog Luke. After the blind old lady was struck by lighting and neatly cook by that lighting. "I also agree with Ilsidur. Kill a God?? mortal?? I wish I could remember what my mother said so many years ago."
Willim the Drifter Saturday April 20th, 2002 10:58:00 PM
" I'm fairly certain that any being which can kill the god of war is a being we should do our best to avoid. Perhaps a priest or someone of great arcane knowledge will know a way for us to foil this demon's efforts rather than attempting to go fist to cuffs with some dark lord. "
Jurgen d20+9=16 Sunday April 21st, 2002 4:28:17 AM
Jurgen listens carefully, trying to understand what's being said. Finally he gets the fact that a Child of Chaos is the good guys!
"Ooh! I'm a Child of Chaos. The Chaos Kid!" He grins, but then shuts up. The ma'am has something more to say, and he didn't want to be hurt.
"To stop a god? Well, someone did it to Domi. Why don't we just follow the same path? Do exactly what he did! I don't know what happened though." Jurgen tries to think, as if remembering something he didn't take the time to find out. "If we can't do that, then what about... What about... We can't do this alone! It would take eons to find how to stop a god. Unless we can create a machine that does the opposite of this one, then we're in trouble."
The boy yells as the woman dies, knowing she held the keys. She was the keyholder, but they would have to find the gatekeeper... and probably a locksmith. Seeing the fact that many are either dead, or not in their bodies. He wipes his eye, not teary, but sweaty. He's horribly tired and although this is probably the most horrid sight he's seen, it seems to pass right through him right now.
Jurgen too, attempts to think of a way to defeat gods. Yet he doesn't know the ways of religion or the like, so he sticks to the ways a mage knows. The ways he has been taught, and can feel in his blood.
[Arcana Knowledge Check, Success at DC 16]
"We're in big trouble. Unless we can get some nifty keys. Unless it's a Wizard lock..."
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