A Long Day -- Part One (DM Cayzle) Tuesday May 28th, 2002 10:55:04 AM
You all stop for a second to catch your breath.
It seems unbelievable that only a single day has passed, but it is true. This morning the group approached the Temple, freed Jurgen and Willem, and heard the Chaos Bell ring. They found a scroll with a special spell. That was at nine in the morning.
Then they fled into the crowd, and were led by Moragh the Crone to the city wall. On top of that wall, they saw the Armies of the Night massing, saw the Vampire-Giant who led them, heard the machine thrum, and saw the Giant rip a rent in the Wold. Through that rip they saw the land outside Threshhold, and through that rip the Army of the Night began to invade the Southern Continent. The Giant Vampire said that the Gods, the Powers of the Wold, could be killed by mortals.
Then the Crone (or seer? or oracle? or wise woman?) spoke with the voice of power and was slain by lightning -- but before she died she spoke compelling words of guidance: "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!" The broken spiral tattoos throbbed. That was at midday of the same day.
Then the group went to the Inn and picked up Uteva, then to the house of a priest they had met, Mattric. They found that many people, especially children, were dead in the streets. Mattric's people were dead as well. The humming of the machine can be heard everywhere. Then the Voices of the Gods spoke, and two Powers -- Goddess of Love and the Goddess of Passion -- are dead! In the aftermath, the group decides to attack the [machine. Mattric wisely counsels, "A frontal attack on this device seems doomed. Ye tried that and were forced back. I suggest that ye look for subtle or magical means to your end." The group gathers in an abandoned tavern to plan. That was at three of the clock in the afternoon.
At the tavern the group debates, and the newest Child of Chaos joins -- Shiraz the Minotaur. Ilsidur volunteers to use the scroll of the black robes against the machine, although he thinks it may kill him to do so. After much discussion, the group decides to return to the Desecrated Temple. And so the evening hour of six arrives, still in this one momentous day!
Return to Desecration -- Part Two (DM Cayzle) Tuesday May 28th, 2002 10:55:48 AM
The group -- Willem, Shiraz, Jurgen, Thomas, Ilsidur, Trace, Sly, and Uteva -- have returned to the Desecrated Temple of Alemi in the Town of Abandon, where once before they confronted the machine of evil and freed Jurgen and Willem from captivity before fleeing from the shadowy tentacle-hands of the machine. The Concourse, or entry hall, is empty now. There are stairs that mattric said lead up to the balcony. There are open doorways into areas that you have not explored. And far at the end of the Concourse, the Nave opens, in which the machine malevolently thrums.
The sound of it is louder than ever, and it plucks at your souls to hear the sound. It feels like hunger, like greed, like a rapacious need to devour all. Here you all are in the Concourse, and the Wold waits for your action.
[OOC: At the end of your next post, please note your current spells chosen and other such details. All wounds were healed by Mattric. E-mail me if you have any other questions, comments, etc.]
Shiraz Tuesday May 28th, 2002 8:42:03 PM
Shiraz shudders visibly at the feeling that the machine gives him. "This is the thing we must stop?" the minotaur says quietly. "May the gods and Imod's spirit bless us and guide our arms and our hearts." The huge taurs voice seems almost a benediction then in a breath he draws his swords and cutting large chunks of air off..the taur smiles, "let this day be lived honorably and may we be sucessful."
ooc no spells or effects on me
Sly Foxx and Luke Wednesday May 29th, 2002 3:09:04 AM
Sly will follow Sir Thomas, eating an apple and cookies. "Well' what next? Sir." asks Sly.
Luke look up at Sly and tak a bisket.
OOC: Sly has chosen Magic Missles,Flaming Sphere and web.
In the Concourse (DM Cayzle) Wednesday May 29th, 2002 3:56:58 PM
Standing in the ruined Concourse of the desecrated Temple of Alemi, the group looks around and takes in a scene of ruination. Once it was a hall lined with art and furniture, a place of welcome and gathering before the formal temple services began. Now it is a disaster zone. All the marble finery has been cracked and broken. All the works of craft are wrecked. Piles of rubble and trash are everywhere. A single clear path goes from the entrance and winds around debris to the Nave.
There are two sets of stairs going up and two open doorways to the right and the left. You can turn tail and depart. You can advance towards the Nave, or even re-enter the Nave, the place of your defeat earlier today. Or you can climb over debris and ascend the stairs. Or there are two doorways on the right and two on the left, past piles of rubbish and broken statuary.
Your choice?
Sly Foxx and Luke Wednesday May 29th, 2002 7:03:23 PM
Sly follows behind Sir Thomas, when his hand itches again. But this time it also burns a little. Sly takes off his glove and start to scratch, but take a good look at his tattoo. It is glows brighter, then dimmer. "Hmmm! that's funny it never did that before? I think I'll casts a Detect Magic (1 action instant), if it has magic properties it will tell me." But Sly will continue to follow the party.
Luke stops and scratches behind his ear.(that's was a flee, not magic)
Jurgen d20+10=30 d20+1=19 d20+10=30 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 8:02:53 PM
Jurgen mutters, tapping his tattoo angrily. It felt strange. Something about it was making him feel uneasy. Be it magic or be it mental, he had to find out. Somewhere he thought he heard of it before. Perhaps it could be used to combat their foes. Or it could be a trick, used to hurt them...
[Arcane Knowledge Check: Success at DC 30]
[General Knowledge Check: Success at DC 10]
[Spellcraft Check: Success at DC 30]
Then the boy pulls out a scroll. He looks it over, while focusing on his hand. He felt he could see through the skin, ignoring the fleshy bits. And still he saw the tattoo. It was a part of him... And it had properties that he couldn't explain without help. That help would be magically... At least today.
He began to suck the magics out of the paper, ripping the symbols off as he spoke or touched them. His eyes closed, focusing deeply, he began to sway slightly. Finally the scroll was finished with, it's magics sucked out and used.
[Casting Spell From Scroll: Identify - Target: The Tattoo]
[No Current Spell Effects. 5 Level 1 spells have been cast today. What are the odds of two 20s? Meh. I'm happy, but I'll find out through the magic or the knowledge... I hope :)]
Shiraz Wednesday May 29th, 2002 8:35:52 PM
Shiraz looks puzzled at the rest as the casters cast spells or mumble while looking at their tattoo's. "What are you doing?" he asks. "Is this the time to worry about your tattoos? Mine lead me to you I figure that it would lead us safely past this machine too." Shiraz looks a bit confused. "Well since your frontal assault didnt work before should we try 1 or these doors?" Shiraz points to the doors on the right. Shiraz stands completely still waiting to see if his tattoo will show him the correct path as it has done before.
Sir Thomas d20=6 Wednesday May 29th, 2002 10:53:28 PM
Thomas looks around the rubble and his friends as if he were ignorant of all knowledge except how to breathe. While he looks around he quickly runs through his memory of the tattoo. He finally snaps out of the trance and returns to his previously stern look of seriousness. "Well friends, I know very little of magic unless it pertains to battle or Alemi. All I know of this situation is that we have very little time to be inspecting tattoos while an army of evil armies marches on our homelands and our loved ones. But I cannot deny the fact that my tattoo has always burned hotter and brighter every time I was eager to fight evil. More than just the act of fighting, I had to actually possess an intense emotional drive too. MY tattoo does not burn today, but I am quite eager to march on the machine. What does that say?" (Rolled 6 + 5 = 11 Religious Knowledge) "I wish Alyndar were here to help us solve this riddle, but he isn't. If it is a powerword that unlocks the potential of this mark, then I'll find it in battle . . . Alemi will guide my words." THomas pushes on the back of his hand, "I doubt it works like a button . . . " Thomas shrugs his shoulders as if to say - I don't know. The settles his helmet, armor, and shield, then spurs Pryte forward toward where he believes the machine to reside. "Either way, the armies must be stopped. We'll find the way, or we'll die trying. May Alemi guide your thoughts as you search your hearts for the answers. I'm going to scout the machine." Thomas rides forward at a moderate pace to at least scout the area of the machine.
Jurgen Thursday May 30th, 2002 12:52:58 AM
"Oh Sir Thomas. We may not have time for wasted activities, but this certainly is not one such thing. We must find out what we can do, lest we be killed in battle. I want not for any of us to die. I don't want to die. I also want to stop that machine. So unless you wish to die alone, I suggest you wait for us to finish our inspections of these." He waves his hand up, tattoo side outwards. It seems to be a similar colour to his dark skin.
Sly Foxx and Luke Thursday May 30th, 2002 9:09:38 AM
"I don't know about your tattoo, Sir Thomas, But mine burns a little hotter today." Sly show his mark to Jurgen, "Look Mine is pulsating, I wonder why? It's distracting."
The Spiraling Shape (DM Cayzle) Thursday May 30th, 2002 6:23:13 PM
[OOC Note: Remember, friends, that you can describe your actions, but you must not describe things you do not control. You can say, "I swing my sword, hitting a good blow (AC 23)," but you can't say "The orc crumples and dies under my awesome attack." You can say, "I tap on the tattoo," but you can't say, "The tattoo burns, throbs, lifts off my skin, and flutters around the room before landing again on my hand." okay? That's for me to say.]
Jurgen focuses on his tattoo as he never has before. he subjects it to magical analysis as he tries to remember any scrap of lore that might be relevant. Similarly, Sly takes off his glove and casts a Detect Magic on his.
Jurgen's scroll does put some information into his brain -- a name: Entropy Bell
The Detect Magic spell reveals great magic, then moderate magic, then no magic, then some magic, then great magic (but not as great as at first), then faint magic -- it cycles randomly. Sometimes it stays fixed for a while; then it flashes fast.
Jurgen recalls a verse that might have something to do with it -- a psalm from the Shouts of Madness, a book Jurgen once glanced at, written by Sarvat the Lost Hermit. Jurgen remembers it because of the Identify results ... Destiny chimes in great tones. Powerful rings the dead way. Entropy bell leads past gods. Beckoning the Lands of Rest.
Shiraz waits and looks at his tattoo. For a moment it looks to him like it is spinning, like a pinwheel. When it comes to rest, he sees that it has shifted its position on his hand, over to one side, not centered as it had been.
Sir Thomas pushes on the back of his hand. When he does so, he feels a slight push back.
Sly scratches at his tattoo. It burns, throbs, lifts off his skin, and flutters around the room before landing again on his hand.
[OOC: We have Sly, Thomas, Jurgen, and Shiraz posting so far. Ceil will sub for Thomas for the next two days. I sure hope more players will join in on a regular basis!]
Shiraz Thursday May 30th, 2002 6:54:35 PM
Shiraz looks at his tattoo, now moved to one side then looks up to see if it has lined up with what appears to be the way to go. If it does Shiraz looks up and points, "My friends, I believe we go this way, my tattoo led me to you an now it leads us all to victory." Shiraz will then show the group how it has moved on his hand.
Oops (DM Cayzle's Addendum) Thursday May 30th, 2002 8:04:24 PM
[OOC: Sorry -- I meant to add this before but I forgot.]
Sir Thomas walks ahead with his warhorse, but not into the Nave. Stepping gingerly around fallen blocks and parts of statues, Prytte and Thmas look into the Nave. They see the machine as it was before, but there is a Black Robe standing before it reading from a scroll. As they watch, the Black Robe finishes the scroll and crumples to the floor. Two other Black Robes step up -- one casts a spell on the fallen priest and drags him away. The other takes out a scroll and starts reading.
Sir Thomas has not entered the Nave.
The tattoo on Shiraz's hand moves to the right, looking at it the way he was holding his hand at the time. Flip the hand in a different pose and it will "point" in another direction.
Jurgen Friday May 31st, 2002 12:21:13 AM
Jurgen listens carefully to his memories and thoughts. There was something he was missing, wasn't there? The Entropy bell... If they could ring the bell again, would it reverse what it had done? No. That wouldn't work. This was difficult.
"Destiny chimes in great tones. Powerful rings the dead way. Entropy bell leads past gods. Beckoning the Lands of Rest."
He chanted the verse, three times before stopping. It wouldn't help, would it? Perhaps if they were trying to remember a song. Maybe the entropy bell was like a musical instrument and each tune did something else... It all depended on how it was played. How could they play something that they didn't have...
[I hate to say it, but I'm completely stopped. I have no clue what-so-ever.]
[Cayzle: You can't solve a puzzle with just one piece -- keep this bit in the back of your mind and wait for another piece to match it. More to the point, leaving obscure lore aside, how are you going to approach the machine dilemma?]
Sly Foxx and Luke Friday May 31st, 2002 10:18:01 AM
"Sir Thomas! Wait a moment this tattoo has not burn before or acted so weird. Now let's think back to the Witches and received these tattoos. If I remember the events, it was not the five witches that gave us these tattoo, it must be someone else. Remember I was not supposed to get one, because I was not with the bell when it rang, I was out side about to knock on the door. But who put these tattoo on just a few people. Could it be for a special propose? Like now? I think this is a clue on how to not only win this battle, but an even Bigger one." Sly Look To The Rest Of The Group. "Please tell me I'm wrong?"
Sir Thomas (Ceil) Friday May 31st, 2002 10:29:53 AM
"Hmm! I always though that the witches were behind these tattoos." Sir Thomas twist his hand every which ways. It does not move for me, or change color. But I do not put a lot of though in the thing, because it does not interfere in our quest. Right now we must stop that thing from taking more lives, or is it taking lives?" Sir Thomas turn to the Magic users and cleric in the group, "Can you tell me where those black robes do go?"
Ilsidur Friday May 31st, 2002 10:42:17 PM
Ilsidur ponders his immediate future, as he makes his way quietly up the stairs, and readies the scroll. Once at the top of the stairs, he moves to within range of casting the spell. Realizing that the spell will drain his life force, he wonders exactly what does it mean to be a "Child of Chaos"? What does it mean to carry the sign of the Entropy Bell? Maybe he could call on the power of the Bell, the sign, and Chaos, to try to save his sorry hide. He thinks for a moment, and concentrates to call some sort of power from the symbol, perhaps to protect him from the backlash of the Pour Life spell.
Regardless of the results, he begins to read the scroll, meaning to cancel whatever spell is powering the evil machine.
The Beginning of an Answer (DM Cayzle) Saturday June 1st, 2002 3:35:28 PM
Ilsidur walks up the right-hand set of stairs to the balcony. He has to pick his way carefully, since there are long pews blocking parts of the stairway. His dwarfish sense of safety and construction helps a lot.
It looks like the balcony was simply used for extra seating for services. There are a few pews still here, mostly toppled over or set askew. The railing shows damage where some pews were levered over in the general ruin long ago.
It takes a few tense minutes to slowly and stealthily move over to the part of the balcony suspended most near to the machine.
The balcony area, as with the entire nave, is filled with shifting shadows, like before. It is hard to gauge distances. But at last Ilsidur figures he is as close to the machine as he can get -- within counterspell range, he thinks.
Below, a Black Robe has been reading a scroll of his own -- also Pour Life, as the dwarf cleric recognizes. But Ilsidur knows starting the counterspell late will waste it. He bides his time for this scroll-reader -- he can see another Black Robe with a scroll standing ready for when this one finishes.
While he waits, he concentrates on invoking the power of the Entropy Bell, although he does not know what to expect. To start with, he begins to have a greater awareness of his friends, the other Children of Chaos. He senses where they are -- (there -- down and to the left) -- and they begin to sense him as well.
Still in the Concourse, Sir Thomas can see the scroll-readers within the Nave -- one reading, one ready to read after the current reader falls. Everyone in the group can sense Ilsidur above them, although he is hiding out of sight.
Sly Foxx and Luke Saturday June 1st, 2002 8:27:35 PM
Sly sensing Ilsidur, poise and ready to go into action. Sly turns to Sir Thomas and ask," Sir Thomas, Do you think that I should go and protect Ilsidur? He is venerable right now." And waits for an answer.
The Laughing Voice of Chaos (DM Cayzle) Sunday June 2nd, 2002 1:07:57 AM
The Broken Spiral of Entropy on Sly's hand turns into a pair of lips. They move, and Sly hears a voice.
"Hee hee hee! Yes, not only is our Ilsidur old, but he is in danger, too. Go to him, oh you most worthy Child of Chaos!"
Then the lips turn back into the symbol as if nothing had happened.
[OOC: Oh Ceil, good one! -- Cayzle]
Sly Foxx and Luke Sunday June 2nd, 2002 8:29:50 AM
To Sly surprise that his tattoo has turned into a pair of lips, (and they sound an awful lot like one of the witches) and the message it gives. Not waiting for Sit Thomas reply. Turns and runs up the stairs and to go Ilsidur side."
Luke will be more than happy to follow along Sly side, because something is up.
Sir Thomas (Ceil) Sunday June 2nd, 2002 8:33:15 AM
"Hey where are you going,Sly?" ask Sir Thomas.
Jurgen Sunday June 2nd, 2002 10:42:33 PM
The youngest member of the Chaos Children almost laughed as Sly's tattoo flew around. It was a calming effect. Then he smiled, somewhat shakily. He'd have to go off alone for a little while. They could protect Ilsidur. He wouldn't be much help. But he'd have to be back in less then the time it would take to cast that spell. Fine. But which way to go? He couldn't pick. Which way? The doors? Perhaps...
Then the image of Sly's tattoo came into his mind, again. That was the key. They had these marks that were powerful and they weren't trying to use them. That was the most foolish part. Now... he'd have to make sure he was right. Not enough time. Go now!
His eyes focus intently on his hand, words slowly coming to his head. 'The Safest Path To Victory'. Everything else goes away. The voices around him fade to silence. The thoughts of death in his mind, die away themselves. His own mind seems to disappear, just replaying those five words.
Sir Thomas Sunday June 2nd, 2002 11:40:02 PM
[OOC: I see that Ceil already posted for me this weekend, but I'm going to add just a short bit and resume regular posting tommorrow night.]
Thomas stops short of entering the nave; he never intended to enter the nave until the group was ready, but since his knowledge of magic is quite limited to Alemi's allowance he wanted to scout the sight that would be the stage for the battle. While watching the events unfold within the nave he reports to the group what he sees. He also reports that his tattoo/scar pushed back on his hand and that sets him thinking about the events that transpired when he received his pinwheel scar.
"No Sly, it was not the crones that gave us the scars. Our scars appeared when the bell fell from the wall in the abbey and we heard the riddle . . . beware the void, beware the bear, beware the sabre. We thought that the Void was Bear's brother and that the bear was Bear himself. I think they were just coincidences. We are in the Void, and the crones spoke of Heranmarr returning from the other side. The crones also told us we would hate them for this, but we have neither seen nor heard from them since. As a matter of fact, I haven't even thought of them one time. I think it is time to talk to them." Thomas concentrates as if he were going to cast one of his simple spells. He allows himself to be consumed in the link between he and his friends that Ilsidur started. He calls to the crones, "To the five sisters of power, known to us - the children of chaos - as the crones, I beckon thee. The Entropy Bell rquires your attentions. We address you one at a time and also as a whole. Sorrow, you have been in my heart for a long time now, but I have not acknowledged you - now I admit that I am sad that we were not saviors, but instead appear to be destroyers. Justice, I believe you bore the symbol of Domi - would you deliver death as justice to one who sought only to protect? Wisdom, I wish you had been by my side longer. Watcher, you should have used a two-way scrying device. And the last I do not her name, but I believe it to be Protection. Who have you protected but yourselves?
"Listen closely Crones, in the name of the Wold the Entropy Bell will ring. The time is drawing near. The Shadow King, we suspect Marteus, is not strong enough to break this bell because we have a close kinship. We march on the enemies of Alemi and Domi - the cult gods and their minions. Listen closely Ladys of power . . . your prophecy is about to come true. Would you care to watch first hand? We may be Saviors yet! We have not the key, but we have the desire and the love for each other and the Wold. Come to us and watch as we ring to destroy the Shadow King and his machine; while being saviors of the Wold. The time of your prophecy is at hand."
Thomas stops speaking and looks around hopefully at his friends and the rubble strewn room. He knows not whether he appears the fool or has doen something useful, but he believes in his heart that the Crones heard his call.
GOD WAR! [CDM Jerry] Monday June 3rd, 2002 10:41:12 AM
A distant rumble is heard, causing many to look in that direction to see if a storm is building. In the distance, a darkness seems to be creeping eastward. A few minutes later, huge clouds are building and soon cover the western sky, moving east. A devil of a storm is brewing, and people scramble through the streets to reach the safety of shelter before it begins.
The storm is filled with magic as the clouds, seemingly alive, build faster than any natural storm. Soon it fills the sky, looking below for victims to pound with hail and strike with...
LIGHTNING!
Suddenly, lightning strikes! Then again! Forking into thousands of bolts, the ground is assaulted. The smell of ozone is in the air. Shortly after comes the thunder! Deafeningly loud, it causes those yet outdoors to hold their ears in pain.
Then, beginning with the places where the lightning had struck, the ground begins to crack and open.
Distantly you hear a dark deep voice. The voice of a god.
"ATTACK!"
Godly war has begun. The Cult Gods have assaulted the Godlands.
The ground begins to shake and the volcanoes of the Scab rejoice in the conflict, belching fire and smoke that can be seen for hundreds of miles. Even the monstrous Shadow Mountain blows its top in tribute to the battle's ferocity. This explosion is heard and seen throughout the peninsula and as far west as Wemic Isle.
Chaos Intensifies! (DM Cayzle) 3d6(3+4+5)=12 Monday June 3rd, 2002 8:52:06 PM
Both Thomas and Jurgen concentrate on invoking the Power of Entropy, the Power of the Broken Spiral, the Wisdom of the Five Crones.
Jurgen senses all the Children of Chaos very keenly. He senses Sly picking his way as fast as he can across broken pews and debris as he climbs the stairs to the balcony. He has a sudden sharp intuition that everyone now in the Concourse MUST stand in the high archway between the Nave and the Concourse. He works hard for a few minutes to shepherd everyone into the archway.
Sir Thomas, with his warhorse, is already in the archway, looking in at the Black Robes. He too senses, just like everyone, the position of each Child of Chaos in relation to each other. And to the machine.
Thomas makes his call to the Five Crones. As he speaks the words, " ... watch as we ring ... " a curious thing happens. very softly, a quiet sound. It continues as he finishes his plea. All the Children of Chaos hear this sound in their bones and deep in their ears -- is it a true sound? Does it exist in the air? Or does it originate somewhere else?
This sound resonates, although it is still soft. It resonates with the hum of the machine -- you had almost forgotten that hum, but now you realize that it has been there all along, just under your awareness. Now this new sound, like a finger circling a wet wineglass, makes you aware of the electric hum of the machine. The two notes are brothers, but they are not the same.
Ilsidur sense Sly starting up the stairs, and he has an intuition that the time to start his counterspell is near at hand!
The earthquake begins! (see post above by Jerry)
Sly, please roll two reflex saves vs. DC 15 -- you are in the stairs that are partly blocked by opld pews, and now some of them are falling on you! If you make both saves you are fine. If you make just one save, take 12 points of damage before you can get upstairs. If you fail both, take the 12 points of damage and you are trapped under a fallen pew.
As the earth quakes, the Dark Robe reading the scroll falters and falls forward, and his reading is spoiled. He falls forward -- AGAINST THE MACHINE -- and the resulting screams are almost as loud as the sound of the tortured earth shuddering!
Immediately, a new Black Robe steps up to start reading. A strange urgency grips the dwarf cleric -- Ilsidur! Now is the Time! Start! Begin! Ready the Counterspell!
Under the Archway, the rest of the Children of Chaos are safe -- but falling ceiling blocks drop behind them, and ahead some fall into the corral, killing one of the mindless captives still within the fenced area.
Shiraz Monday June 3rd, 2002 9:24:59 PM
Shiraz senses the others easily however when the ceiling starts falling the huge minotaur seems to be truely shaken, although for only a few seconds its teh first sign of fear any have seen from him. "The innocents we must protect them too!!!"
Sir Thomas Monday June 3rd, 2002 10:17:35 PM
Encouraged by the slight sign that his call worked, Thomas continues to raise his voice to envoke the power of the entropy bell. He does not, however, do it from the safety of the archway. Thomas slams the flat of his bastard sword against the face of his shield. "Hear my call creator of the the bell. My soul is ringing!" Thomas smiles and winks at the minotaur with whom he sits eye to eye. [OOC: I'm assuming] He spurs Pryte-Honos for the cage that houses the innocent captives and the two charge into the nave with all of the speed that the two had cultivated from the gifts of their creator. Thomas makes his sword and shield ring again. "Hear me Shadow King, Marteus the Evil-Bearer. My heart sings with the ringing of the bell and of my soul. Do you hear it? It is a song that any bard would be proud to call their own. The ringing sounds the begnning of the destruction." Thomas makes the sound a third time, the sound is not melodic nor does it resound in a lasting pitch. "We ring together. As one we call forth the entropy; the power to undo; this is our right as the bearers of the mark. We are the entropy bell and we are ringing, singing, freeing the Wold of your death grip. Saviors we are, and these innocents will know that Alemi is king of the gods because he sent me here; and he gave me many good friends. Make your last request, because mine is to stop your terror." Thomas charges on with the intent of freeing the mindless ones in the cage. He carries a prayer to Alemi on his lips. It is a prayer of strength, but one where Thomas offers his to Alemi rather than requesting the god's graces upon himself and his friends in their struggle for the cause of Goodness. He knows Alemi is in battle himself, and if his worship will strengthen his king to overcome then he will give it. The prayer is in the religious tongue of the cloth of Alemi and sounds similar to a spell with all of its intricacies.
Trace and Radiant Tuesday June 4th, 2002 12:04:40 AM
OOc: sorry for the delay. aganin using my companys comp. problem has become worse, looks like I might have a bad processor so maybe two more weeks before I can get the dinosaur back at use for the internet. please dont give up on me.
truly sorry for the inconvience,
Ted.
Sly Foxx and Luke d20+3=17 d20+3=15 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 5:11:28 AM
Sly run this way and that way, dodging rocks and other pieces beams, wood dust. (Made my two rolls of 17 and 15) That last Big beam almost got both him and the dog. With the humming in his ear and renewed energy will run to Ilsidur side, with his weapon in one hand and the spell in the other.
Ilsidur Tuesday June 4th, 2002 12:55:55 PM
Ilsidur watches the new Black Robe step forward to read the scroll, and says, "Marmathon Dur, I put myself in your hands."
As the Black Robe starts to read the spell, Ilsidur begins as well. His voice rises and falls in cadence with the evil priest's voice. "Ten minutes for the spell," he thinks to himself, "Will the roof hold?" Then, all other thoughts are banished from his mind as the casting of the spell takes over.
The First To Go [CDM Jerry] Tuesday June 4th, 2002 3:20:06 PM
Moments later, The sky lets loose with hail and rain. The Gods are at war and the whole Wold is feeling the repercussions thereof.
Those in cities notice explosions. One temple after after another implodes, signifying the death of a god.
The first to go is Teresalia, Goddess of Poetry and Song, followed closely by Mittiri, Goddess of Nature.
Then Raven, one of the Cult Gods, meets his ultimate doom.
Then the earth writhes again with a huge aftershock and the ground buckles. Portions of the land rise and fall as Ga'al is slain along with Pantheon.
Jurgen Tuesday June 4th, 2002 8:05:35 PM
The gods were dropping like flies and it seemed the Wold was weeping in sorrow. It was crying in sadness and shaking in rage. No longer would the Wold stay intact if the gods continued to kill one and other. The thing they all fought for, in one way or another, would be gone IF any of them survived. They had already lost the history of the Wold, with Teresalia's death. Nature would be doomed without Mittri. Jurgen knew nothing of the other two, but felt that without them that much pain would be felt by all. Josephine had always said "Life is pain, anyone who says different is a fool". She couldn't have been right, could she? No! pain was not something that everyone should have to feel. Love, life and joy.
It was somewhat ironic. The fall of the God of War, was bringing a war so great that none would be safe. And the Goddess of Love had brought pain before her own death. The gods had to stop. Yet they would not until the other side gave way. Alemi had to lead the to peace. He was being the very thing he stood against. A murderer. He hoped that Alemi could hear his thoughts. He prayed for a god, evil or good, to stop this war. If religion died, so be it... but if the rest of the Wold went with it, then it would all be for naught.
So stop them! But how could a boy such as himself, create peace among the gods thenself? Somewhere in his mind, Jurgen remembered something said by a Servent of Caeroldra. "Wherever there is great love, there will always be great miricle?." That would be the key! Not to love everything, for that was foolish and some things deserved it not. But he had to love life, not only his own and every person who was good and true. Evil should be pitied and saved, if possible and only killed if there was no other way.
Jurgen ran his hand onto his tattoo again, remembering it's power. Perhaps it would help send his message to the god. Alemi would listen to his cry, or ignore him. If he was ignored then Jurgen would know that Alemi was a falsehood himself. It didn't matter that the gods were killing one and other, it was in his power to stop it. Even if that ment losing a battle.
"Alemi, God of Truth, hear me now. You are killing the beings who you strive to protect. No longer is the Wold a safe place. Many are dying, because of your foolishness. I once believed that the gods would be our saviors from ourselves. Now I see that your the destroyers. You kill each other and many die. I just saw one innocent die, seconds after a god fell. Why? Because you refuse to lead the others to peace. You've chosen between two evils, but forgotten yourself that they are both still evil!" He speaks softly, but attempting to be powerful at the same time. He almost falls, when hit with the second wave, but catches himself. Then he begins casting his own spell, to make sure that he can distract anything that comes near.
Now all he could do was wait. If the gods stopped, even for a short period of time, they could finish this mission. Then they could save the Wold!
The Moment! (DM Cayzle) 3d6(6+3+4)=13 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 8:24:26 PM
Sir Thomas and Shiraz race into the Nave and toward the corral, hoping to save the few remaining victims trapped there. Because they have left the safety of the archway, roll Reflex saves vs. DC 15 -- take 13 hp damage from falling blocks if you fail.
Then! Lightning flashes! And through windows illuminates the Nave that has seen no light like this in years.
As the earth pauses in its shuddering, there is a brief quiet moment. All the servants of the machine are still. Even the fould waving limbs are still. Perhaps they respect the death of Ga'al. Maybe they know that the will of the Dark One is directed away from them. The only sounds are the hum of the machine and the scrolls being read by the Black Robe and Ilsidur. Then the quiet is shattered by thunder as the gods die!
You feel the end of powers as an ant perceives an avalanche.
Sir Thomas and Shiraz rip off the black gear medallions of the remaining captives, who all try to flee.
Jurgen makes his plea and casts his spell.
The Children of Chaos below the Balcony all sense that Ilsidur will be done with his spell in another minute. You all realize that if there is anything you can do to aid him, anything you want to do to make a difference, anything to defeat the machine -- NOW is the time to act!
Shiraz d20+6=11 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 8:24:49 PM
Shiraz pushes through the knave determined to get to the innocents. Once he gets there, the huge minotaur attempts to set himself and break down the cage holding the innocent town folk. Not understanding this whole entrophy bell thing so well the minotaur uses what he does, his strength. However it is at that minute that the ground starts swelling and shaking again causing the taur to slip. "By Imods hammer" he grunts setting his body again. "To me people to me," he bellows over the noise hoping to get the people in the cage to help him.
Sir Thomas d20=13 Tuesday June 4th, 2002 9:28:22 PM
(Rolled 13 + 5 Reflex mod. = 18 Reflex Save)
Thomas and Pryte manage to dodge all of the falling debris, open the cage, and free those trapped within. But now Thomas feels that his actions will make no more difference in the final outcome than if he had just stood beneath the doorway. His efforts to invoke the power of the entropy bell failed; he listens, trying to hear if the entwined notes of the bell still ring. He knows, as all do, that the gods are at war . . . and worse, that gods are dying. Life will be more uncertain than it has been, and that is a scary thing to Thomas.
Thomas, still racking his brain for an answer as to how to help kill the machine decides that his small efforts will not make a large enough difference. He decides to do what he knows will make a difference . . . he will help Ilsidur survive. "HEYAH!!" Thomas spurs Pryte to run back to the concourse, but Pryte, having known Thomas' intention already, is on his way. As he and his companion rush back to Ilsidur's position, he calls to his friends. "Help me get to Ilsidur. Clear the stairs of debris. Clear the way. I have healing magic that will carry our friend through. I saw the black robes do it. I know that it will work for him too."
Anger wells within Thomas as another god dies. A curse for the crones settles heavily upon his tongue. Just as they had prophecied he now hates them for this curse. He knows they didn't give the mark to him, nor to his friends, but they knew more than they shared and so Thomas blames them, at least in part, for his lack of knowledge and ability with the power of the bell that might stop the death of gods and mortals alike. He does not elicit the curse, instead saving his breath for the only spell he has remaining - cure light wounds. He hopes it will be enough.
Ilsidur (casting counterspell) Tuesday June 4th, 2002 9:30:02 PM
As Ilsidur's voice drones on in harmony with the voice of the black-robed priest, a part of his mind starts to wander, and consider his predicament. These could be his last few moments alive, unless someone or something intervenes. He is aware of all the other Children of Chaos, and wonders if he can send a message through the link: "I can feel my life force draining away. If any of you have a way of boosting my strength, now is the time."
Sly Foxx and Luke Wednesday June 5th, 2002 6:22:41 AM
Sly runs to Ilsidur side (actually back side) and throws his arms around him, and whispers in his ear "Go ahead and finish, I hope we only lose half our life force. I trust you."
Luke arrives at the scene, it looks like fun so the dog will grab Ilsidur boot.(add another 20 hit points)
Trace (Ceil(Ted is having PC problems)) Wednesday June 5th, 2002 9:42:56 AM
Trace is confuse because of the war on the Gods. But does fell his tattoo almost compelling him to clear the staircase for Sir Thomas. And that is exactly what he will do.
Shiraz d20+2=15 d20+6=21 d20+6=18 d20+6=14 d20+6=24 Wednesday June 5th, 2002 9:04:51 PM
Shiraz nimbly avoids the fallen debris as he leaves the knave and helps the captives. Hearing Sir Thomas call to clear the stairs and bolts that way hoping to move to either side any debris so Sir Thomas can ascend the stairs. (rolled 4 strength checks to move debris as DM allows)
Jurgen - Flying d20+3=14 d20+7=23 d20+7=25 Wednesday June 5th, 2002 9:54:14 PM
Jurgen becomes lost, trapped in his thoughts of only a moment. No response... Who could he turn to now? The gods had always been a hope in his mind. Domi and Alemi. He was now unsure of any of it. Domi was dead. Alemi wasn't what he should have been. Now he had to find someone else. But why? He didn't need the gods. He could follow himself. That was the true path to greatness. Doing what has to be done, not because someone else wants it done, but because you want it done.
And then Jurgen knew what he had to do. It might not save Ilsidur's life, it might do nothing. But he had to do it, lest he remember this for the rest of his days. The chance he could have taken, to save them all, wasted. So it was a chance... If Wardd was still around, then perhaps he'd get lucky. If not, he'd make his own.
Suddenly he felt himself grabbing two feathers out of his belt pouch. Holding on in each hand, Jurgen dives down towards the machine. "Alem... No. Me protect me!" As fast as his spell will take him, Jurgen aims for underneath the machine, if possible. If he can, then he goes under it, dropping the two feathers. Then he tries to pull up, getting away from the ground and the hopefully flying machine, as fast as possible.
[Move Silently Check - Success at DC 14]
[Reflex Saves (For Leaving The Archway) - Success at DCs 23 and 25]
Sir Thomas d20=4 d20=3 d20=1 d20=12 d20=19 Thursday June 6th, 2002 12:13:11 AM
While Thomas rides toward Ilsidur, he prepares his cure light wounds spell and focuses his thoughts on Alemi's lay on hands healing. He rushes up the stairs and as soon as he gets close enough to touch Ilsidur he does so . . . as lightly as possible so as not to interrupt the spell. Depending on the amount of time he thinks he has before Ilsidur finishes the coutner-spell he will cast cure light wounds and then lay on hands if needed. if he feels pressed for time he'll do the much quicker lay on hands and then the spell.
(rolled two reflex saves for being out of the doorway: 4 + 5 = 9 and 3 + 5 = 8 Rolled two Dexterity? for climbing the stairs 1 -1 = 0 and 12 - 1 = 11 Rolled a Strength because I may need to free myself because of poor luck and dexterity 19 + 4 = 23)
Sly Foxx and Luke Thursday June 6th, 2002 2:13:31 AM
Sly still holds on to Ilsidur, he is trying to melt his mind with Ilsidur(who is reading the scroll)like his mother once told him. *I you are close enough and concentrate, you can have more power for what ever spell is cast.* Right now he hope the his mother was right, it's the only way to save Ilsidur.
Luke is still holding on.
Trace (Ceil) Thursday June 6th, 2002 2:17:12 AM
Trace being a little out of breath. Finally starts to take in the war of the Gods. "Now What?" he wonders.
Is This The End? [CDM Jerry] Thursday June 6th, 2002 12:09:47 PM
Quicker than most can discern, emotions wash over the Noble Races as god after god dies in holy battle!
Then it stops. Is this the end? Are there still Gods to protect the Wold? Has Marteaus defeated the Gods of Wold?
No, there is hope! Three temples remain.
Alemi. Marteaus. Gargul.
The aftershocks begin to subside, leaving behind groaning sound as if the Wold were trying to pull itself apart.
Shiraz Thursday June 6th, 2002 11:09:06 PM
Shiraz manages to get to the top of the stairs and sees everyone standing around the dwarf. He stops and waits praying soflty while guarding the stairs against intruders.
Sly Foxx and Luke Friday June 7th, 2002 8:21:32 AM
Sly holds on to Ilsidur and praying to Alemi~ Please let my life force blend with Ilsidurs so we can both live.~ Sly hopes that this will work, but his heart is heavy and one God dies after another. *We have to do something, BUT what?*.
Trace(Ceil) Friday June 7th, 2002 8:24:19 AM
Trace will go up to Sir Thomas, "Tom, The Gods are losing, how can we help?"
Shiraz Friday June 7th, 2002 11:32:08 AM
Shiraz looks around, he is truly lost for the only time in his life. "What can we err I do?" The hughe minotaur asks quietly. "My swords are useless, my strength a waste, what is..." Shiraz's words trail off as he looks around, "I just feel out of place and out of touch."
Sir Thomas d20=18 Friday June 7th, 2002 9:57:10 PM
After his curing magic is spent on Ilsidur, Thomas looks to the group both physically and through their mental link. "Pray for Alemi" he says simply. "Pray to Alemi that he accept your strength to fight the evil of Marteus, then freely give him your support. Allow him the ability to be merciful to all involved. 'All things are possible through him, if you believe.'" Thomas throughs himself immediately into prayer . . . AFTER he has expended all of his healing magic or ability on Ilsidur. (Rolled 18 for healing skill + 10 Wis mod = 28)
The Chord of Power Saturday June 8th, 2002 9:58:21 AM
As Ilsidur finishes the counterspell, he feels the life pouring out of his body. In fact, he senses the life pouring out of the Dark Robe's body as well. He senses it like two fierce rivers, each flowing against the other, with the machine in the middle.
Sly and Luke grab Ilsidur, but the dwarf cleric is so focussed on the counterspell that he hardle notices. Sly tries to will his own life energy into Ilsidur. Sir Thomas, joining them on the balcony, tries to cast Cure Light Wounds at the very instant the counterspell ends.
Downstairs, Trace, Uteva, and Willim stand in the Archway between the Nave and the Concourse. Having worked hard to clear the stairs, Trace is holding the reins for the group's two warhorses, and is calming Radiant, who is ruffled at the earthquake and all. In the Nave itself, Shiraz has done his best to free the prisoners -- the ones in Black Robes just fall to the floor in supplication after they are released, but the ones in common clothes flee as best they can. In fact, all the Black Robes, sensing the gods dying, are prostrate before the machine. Shiraz then climb the stairs to the balcony.
Jurgen, flying in the Nave itself, prepares his two magical feathers and prepares to use them just as the counterspell ends. At the right moment, he tries to plant them under the machine.
Finally, the moment of decision in upon the Children of Chaos! Ilsidur's counterspell stops the Black Robe's spell, and all the group feel the power of Chaos course through the dwarf, more powerful than ever. The force hurls Ilsidur, Sly, Thomas, and Luke off the balcony! The hum of the machine is overcome by the sound of the bell's clear, constant tone. The earth, in a final cataclysmic shudder, screams as well, and the three sounds -- the hum, the bell, and the tortured earth -- create a Chord of surpassing power!
As the earthquake makes the floor fall away under the machine, Jurgen sees the perfect opportunity to trigger his feathers! He plants them right under the infernal contraption, as the hands attached to the machine try to grab him. Jurgen, please make a Reflex save vs DC 15 or be grabbed. But the feathers magically root and suddenly grow into TREES! They rise and lift the middle of the machine into the air. The ends of the thing still touch the ground, like a snake lifted up in the middle, or like an arch.
The limbs of the machine flail around wildly! they lengthen and grow! They reach out to the Black Robe who had been reading the scroll, and grab him! Arching up, lifted by Jurgen's trees, they lengthen and grab Ilsidur, Sly, Thomas, and Luke as they fall from the balcony!
When the cruel organic and robotic arms of the device of the Dark One grab Ilsidur, just as the counterspell ends, all the Children of Chaos sense and understand events far beyond the Ruined Cathedral:
-- Outside the Abandon town walls, the Vampire Giant is standing in the Rift that he opened between the Void and the Wold. His invading army is marching through his legs and into the Wold near Threshold. As the counterspell ends, the Chord of Power closes the Rift and slices the Giant in half, killing him and stranding about a third of his army in the Void.
-- As the Rift closes, the Void contracts, like a child pulling away from the flame it just touched -- and the town of Abandon is no longer in the Void.
-- Outside Heranmar, where Sir Thomas and Trace first came to the Southern Continent, in an old chapel in woods, five Crones stand in a circle. The Chord of Power -- hum, bell, and screaming earth -- encompasses them. One of them, the Crone who did not give her name, says just one word. She says, "Saviours," or maybe "Destroyers." Somehow the Crone says both words at once and sumultaneously. The reaching arms of the machine reach out to the Crones in some way, and they fall down dead as the evil hands brush them.
-- All the gods are dead except Great Alemi, Gargul, and Dark Marteaus. The passing of the gods is like the like a tornado that sweeps up the entire Wold. The walls and roof of the Ruined Temple of Alemi burst outward in an explosion that seems silent compared to the incredible volume that is the Chord. Dust and Darkness obscure all vision.
Then the machine dies, and still holding the Black Robe, Ilsidur, Thomas, Sly, Luke, and maybe Jurgen, then it drops them between the trees under the arch where the device was lifted up. The Chord ends. The Children of Chaos sense that Entropy is swirling around them, and as the Temple collapses, Chaos brings all the group together under the arch formed by the dead machine.
In the silence left after the chord ends, the Children of Chaos stand or lie under the ruin of the device. The dust clears a little, and you all look at each other. Ilsidur is dead.
He lies there white and pale, like the children and others in the street that you saw before. He does not breathe, nor move, nor live.
Those the machine touched, Sly, Thomas, and Luke -- and maybe Jurgen if he failed his Reflex save -- must all make Fortitude saves vs DC 15 or also die.
As the dust settles a little more, you all see that Uteva and Willim are missing. There is still too much dust to see far beyond the archway.
You tend your dead, closing their eyes and arranging their bodies with respect.
Sly Foxx and Luke d20=14 d20+5=11 Saturday June 8th, 2002 4:40:15 PM
(OOC: Sly didnot make his save 14 - Luke the Dog didnot make his save 11)
Sly lies there with ome arm touching Ilsidur and the other arm touching his dog Luke.
Trace and Radiant (Ceil Saturday June 8th, 2002 5:14:10 PM
Trace is having a hard time controlling the Horses and The bird Radiant. With the ground shaking and the Machine's humming, but the Bell ringing is strange. Trace has heard it before but it never like this.
As the Rift closes and every thing else settles. The silence in the ruins is deafening, the dust is settling and Trace start to look for Uteve. As he is searching around he come across the body of Ilsidur, Sly and his dog Luke. Trace cannot believe his eyes, "OH! NO! not them."
Jurgen d20+7=11 d20+3=16 Saturday June 8th, 2002 8:26:25 PM
The boy dives forward, setting his feathers down under the machine. As it flies up, he sees what he did because of it. The arms grab three of the Children of Chaos, at the same instant that they grab him. He may have stopped the machine... Or it may have been Ilsidur. But Jurgen would die too. He screams, his voice weak and frail, not for himself, but for the others.
[Reflex Save - Failure with an 11]
"NO!!!" His words seem to be drowned out, by the Wold's shaking movements. Then, his Chaos powers show him what happened because of it. They stopped the giant, god-like, being. Yet his army still stood, most of it on this side of Abandon. They would never be able to defeat it. Then Abandon was saved. That was their choice. They saved Abandon. Then Jurgen understood what the next vision was. The Crones... They had save Abandon, indeed. But they had destroyed the Wold. They had destroyed the only ones who knew.
The gods were dead. It didn't matter if three survived. It didn't matter if a hundred survived. Religion would be dead for thousands of years. Who would worship the fallen? Who would worship the killers? Who would save the Wold, from itself?
Who of them would survive? Ilsidur was dead. His life was sucked from the body itself. Jurgen watches as Sly and his faithful dog both die, almost at the same instant. Uteva and Willim were gone. They had disappeared entirely. Who knew what happened to them?
Then the young one feels his life draining. He falls, no longer flying with his magic. His body hits the ground, seemingly dead. Then small sobs are heard from where his corpse dropped. He wasn't dead. At least not physically.
[Fortitude Save - Success with a 16]
"I killed them! They're dead because of me." His voice is feeble and barely noticable. He weeps, for he could see he had killed two. Two were missing, perhaps dead as well. It was his fault. How could he have? He killed them! It was all because of him.
He stands up, eyes dripping with tears, dragging himself towards Sly's body. He holds his fist out, where his symbol is, screaming now. His voice cracks, trying to sound powerful and mighty.
"BRING THEM BACK! I SHOULD HAVE DIED! NOT... Not... the-" He then collapses to his knee's, his hands covering his face. Tiny whimpers emit from him, as he tries to save his mind.
Sir Thomas d20=10 Sunday June 9th, 2002 12:13:30 AM
As Thomas speaks the last verbal note of incantation of his weak healing spell, just before he feels the surge of energy course through his body, he is swept off of the balcony . . . he finds himself falling, disoriented, frantic to touch Ilsidur without being able to locate his friend. "Ilsidur!" Then he is grabbed by the machine; the machine that lie across the nave from where they were located. This machine of death and theft; Thomas finds himself mentally cursing it.
As Thomas is grabbed by the machine he feels its grip reach beyond his arm and carry him upward, in fact, by his soul. But Thomas does not allow the separation that the knife bring to the string. He refuses by giving himself to Alemi so that Alemi can benefit in his final confrontation with Marteus. (Rolled 10 + 11 Fortitude = 21)
And it is with considerable surprise and a feeling of intense joy that Thomas watches the giant be split in two by the rift and one-third of his army stranded in the Void; unable to plague the good people of the Wold. Thomas internal celebration causes him to lose touch with reality as he falls to the ground, and his seeming fantasy is crushed as the air abruptly leaves his body. He curls into a ball and then reverses the motion, arching his back attempting to open his chest and airway to allow the lost breath to return. As he waits he watches with sightless eyes as he replays the vision of the death of the crones. He hears the mixture of two words emitted as one, and he knows it is not a coincidence that the word left her body that way. He knows they have been both saviors and destroyers because good and evil are in direct conflict; saving one very well could result in the destruction of the other . . . his next thought, what would become the balancing weight of the scale?
His heart cries as he watches the crones fall lifeless to the floor. He knows not why, but feels sorrow for them . . . he looks at his tattoo, then quickly gathers himself and searches the area for his friends.
He stands up and collects his things. he fights the tears that are forcing themselves beyond his control. He stands over top of Ilsidur, Sly, and Luke as they are arranged in a respectful manner . . . and he begins to sob. True sorrow washes over the young paladin and his thoughts are no longer his to control as they wander in his confusion about the situation.
And Thomas continues to cry uncontrollably.
Pryte-Honos tries to break loose of Trace's grip in order to approach Thomas; to be at his friend's elbow.
Shiraz Monday June 10th, 2002 11:32:23 AM
Shiraz numbly looks around not understanding what has just happen. But, it seems that a piece of him as surely as if his brothers and paents were killed is missing with him. The huge minotaur sees Ilusidur, Sly,and Luke laying dead on the floor and lets out the most god awful scream any in the wold has ever heard, a scream of anger,frustration, loneliness, sadness and loss. The minotaur sheathes his 2 swords and bounds down the stairs, once at the bottom he carefully picks up all 3 bodies with reverential care, the tears streaming down his face as he carries them out of the church.
The Dust Settles (DM Cayzle) Monday June 10th, 2002 11:58:43 AM
In the silence after the devastation of the end, dust falls like soft snow ...
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