Return to Heranmar (DM Cayzle) Wednesday June 19th, 2002 6:39:24 AM
Sir Thomas does indeed feel a response when he touches the stones with his tattooed hand -- a throbbing presence that reassures him. Maybe Altemia is right -- maybe the stones will hedge out anything evil coming from the Void.
Ilsidur reports that he got a similar sensation of watchfulness when he investigated the "crone stones," as Altemia has named them.
Aside from the concern over the stones and the Arch, several in the group clearly remain nervous about Sly and Ilsidur. And Luke.
After talking about the town, the group prepares to visit Heranmar. Sly and Ilsidur don robes. Luke goes undisguised, but since no one ever heard about an undead dog before, maybe no one will notice.
Altemia notices the path that leads from the place the Chapel once stood. Steering clear of close contact with other travellers, the Children of Chaos enter the town.
Heranmar is almost deserted! There are many fewer people on the streets than in former days. And the reason is easy to tell -- rumor says that a great army of evil is about four days away! Most of the town's wealthier folk have fled, to sea or away inland.
The group sees a number of street preachers who seem to be heralding the Endtime.
With the streets almost empty, no one challenges the group or looks too closely at the stranger members.
Wandering at random, the Children of Chaos come to an inn -- marked with a sign showing five old women on it. As Sir Thomas opens the door, blindingly bright light spills out, like a dozen of Jurgen's daylight spells. Inside, the bright light comes from a round object, bigger than a person's head, set into the ceiling. Within the object, colors swirl: red, brown, blue, white.
The object is so bright that all must squint to see. But the patrons of the inn -- there are a handful -- don't seem to notice.
A barkeeper calls out, "Like our new light fixture, do you?"
Trace(Ceil) Wednesday June 19th, 2002 8:57:23 AM
Trace enters and puts up his hand to shade his eyes, "Wow! what a bright light? Can you dim it down a bit?" Trace squint his eyes and looks around the room and the people are eating or drinking as if there is nothing strange going on. Trace turn to the rest of the party and ask, "Are we the only one to see this bright light?"
Sly Foxx and Luke(undead) Wednesday June 19th, 2002 9:12:31 AM
Sly and Luke follows the party, every where they go. When they arrived in Heranmar, Sly keep his head down and neither talk or look at the people around him. But when he enters the Inn, He is struck with the bright light. Sly turns and closes his hood and cover the Luke with the bottom of his cloak. And goes to sit in the corner of the Inn with the light to his back.
Sir Thomas Wednesday June 19th, 2002 9:37:01 AM
As the group walks into town, among rumors of the coming of the Army of Marteus and deserted streets, Thomas notes verbally, "Not much has changed here since the last two times I was here. I wonder if the young followers of Alemi that I helped are still around."
Thomas politely holds the door to the inn of the five crones for all of his companions to enter. He then approaches the innkeeper. "Good day to you sir, and yes, we are fascinated by your new light fixture. Where did you get it? How long have you had it that you consider it new? How did you come by it? . . . " Thomas enters into a friendly conversation about the fixture with the man, trying to discern as much about it as he is able. Once he has done that he thanks the man and turns toward the orb. Allowing someone else to occupy the man's attention with questions of their own if they would like, Thomas concentrates on the orb. He tries to focus his attention on his tattoo as he does directs his mind toward the orb. He mentally addresses the orb, 'the Children of Chaos have come. We seek the council of dragons through the direction of the five crones - Wisdom, Watcher, Justice, Sorrow, and the one without a name. We seek answers and wish to destroy marteus and his army. We are at the mercy of your wisdom." Thomas waits expectantly.
The ORB (DM Cayzle) Wednesday June 19th, 2002 9:58:40 AM
Perhaps in answer to Sir Thomas, a smooth flat voice echoes inside your heads.
"Well, if you can see me, you know what to do, right?"
No one answers immediately.
"I'm surrounded by idiots!" the voice continues. "Listen, here are the instruction, which you should know already!"
The smooth mental voice makes a sort of a throat-clearing sound, which is odd, since there's no actual sound, and no throat to make it!
"ahem. hrrrmpb. how did it go? oh yes." The voice changes as it recites. Come pure of heart and bearing news For Dragons fell and strong and smart. Come stout adventurers and choose To show me that you'll play the part.
Come priest and say a magic prayer. Come mage and dazzle with a spell. Come warrior with strength and flair. Come bard or rogue with tale to tell.
"Hmmmph!" the voice says. "That's clear enough. Now show me what you've got!"
[OOC: Feel free to post a second time today if you like. -- Cayzle]
Jurgen Wednesday June 19th, 2002 3:49:07 PM
Jurgen stays behind the group, treading slowly along their path to wherever it may be. There are those who have left, given up on the town. There are those who have welcomed their fate, giving up on those who could save them. Perhaps that would be best. Not to give up, but to leave. Less people would die, if they could not win... But if they didn't win, the Wold could be in danger. So they had to win. Great, another presure. Not only did Jurgen have to watch out for the Children of Chaos, which he didn't have to, but he chose to. Now he had to make sure that Sly and Ilsidur didn't kill him while he slept. And now this, an army of great magnitude... Great. What next? Did they have to save Alemi themselves?
As they enter the Inn, a stiff laugh comes from Jurgen's mouth. The first sound from him since they left the temple. If that light was to stop anything, it would be useless. Only undead were scared of light and that was proved useless against the three dead who weren't so dead.
As IT] speaks, Jurgen tries to understand it. Long ago he learned to listen to disembodied voices, although it wasn't really disembodied that time, but it served the same purpose.
"I doubt very much that I can dazzle you, with my magic. But I will use it, to prove to you that I am a mage..."
Then his feet begin to move, left to right, front to back, right to left, back to front. Then he begins to say words that actually have meaning, not just the gibberish that his other spells have been. "Up, up, to heavens I'd fly. If I had wings, I wouldn't cry. So let me soar, into the air. Let my body float somewhere." Then he does a strange bow, touching his fingers to his toes. His hands slowly slide up his sides, heading at his head. With that a single word finishes the spell. "Fly..."
And Jurgen begins to float, just a foot from where he previously stood. His feet and hands collide, curling him into a ball. He speaks words, but they are so faint that to hear them would take some impressive hearing. Without warning, he explodes into his normal stance, shouting. "FIRE." And where nobody currently is, a flaming sphere comes into being.
Sly Foxx and Luke(undead) Wednesday June 19th, 2002 5:35:04 PM
Even with his back to the Orb, Sly Stands and speak in his slow tone, "This 1/2 Elf Child of Chaos... is ready to serve,... with magic and sword.(Sly takes and swing a couple of times)But the... problem is,... you see,...I'm already dead. But I'll Fight... until all evil is driven... to dust. One question I... would like to know... is there a chance to... come back to this Wold?" Sly stands there with head bowed, waiting for an answer.
Shiraz d20=20 Wednesday June 19th, 2002 8:32:23 PM
Shiraz looks at the orb puzzled for a minute then as the orb speaks he recalls<Int nat 20> that orbs were to be scattered by the Gold Dragons to be used as communication devices. Walking up to the bight orb and holding his hands in front of his eyes the huge taur begins to tell the story of what has transpired in the past day or so. " Well, mighty dragons who hear me from afar" Shiraz looks around and mangaes to look embarassed at what he is doing." We have destraoyed a machine that was sucking the life out of people, managed to close the void trapping most of the vampires in the void however it came at a cost almost unbearable as we lost our good cleric Ilusidur and our faithful Sly and Luke to the machine, then by some wonder I refuse to even think about they are here but dead and not evil either." Shiraz says the bit with an air of finality. Looking towards his party he asks" what did I forget?"
Altemia Thursday June 20th, 2002 3:54:11 AM
Altemia, not quite certain what to make of the orb, follows the lead of her friends.
Speaking to the orb in her mind, she pats her scimitar and sickle, "I carry both weapons and inner power. I am ready."
At the end of that, the elf casts Barkskin on herself, not wanting to alert the other patrons of the bar to what is going on. Then looking at Jurgen, she realizes they probably already have a really good idea that something is happening.
Sir Thomas Thursday June 20th, 2002 9:35:31 AM
Thomas runs through the rhyme in his head while he listens to his friends begin to fulfill its request. Jurgen casts the magical spell, a dazzling sight for sure; Sly performs a sword dance, beauty innate in his elven heritage gives a sense of drama, stylish and striking; and Shiraz, a warrior of strength, carries the news of the last few major events. Thomas knows what is missing and steps forward to provide it.
"Dragons of wisdom hear our call. I am no bard, nor a rogue by any means. However, I would share a story with you. You must know that we will play the part." It is now Thomas' turn to clear his throat. Thomas wonders what happened to Uteva, knowing that she would tell a much better story; then he begins.
"I was raised under the banner of a proud family, a noble heritage, and this story of ages past, when knights were abundant and strong enough to protect from any foe.
'Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the line!" he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismayed? Not tho' the soldiers knew Someone had blundered: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
Hordes of evil to right of them, Hordes of evil to left of them, Hordes of evil in front of them Volleyed and thunder'd; Storm'd at with arrow and rock, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death Into the mouth of Hell, Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their swords bare, Flashed as they turned in air, Sab'ring the evil there, Charging an army, while All the World wondered: Plunged in the fire's smoke, Right through the line they broke; Goblins and Giants Reeled from the sabre-stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not - Not the six hundred.
Hordes of evil to right of them, Hordes of evil to left of them, Hordes of evil behind them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with arrow and rock, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade? Oh, the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honor the charge they made! Honor the Light Brigade, Noble . . . Noble Six Hundred!'
[OOC: Adapted from Alfred Tennyson's - Charge of the Light Brigade]
A tear makes its way down Thomas' cheek as he recites the age-old poem that he hopes to also be his legacy when his final decsion is made.
"That is the burden we will bear. That is the part we will play. Ours not to reason why; Ours but to do and die. We will fight this army of Marteus. We are determined to be saviors. Hear us dragons. Hear our call."
Lastly, Thomas casts a cure light wounds spell and touches the orb.
Trace (Ceil) Thursday June 20th, 2002 10:45:54 AM
The Ranger steps up, with his bow. "I'm am called Trace, and a Child of Chaos. What ever Sir Thomas has said, Well that goes for the rest of us. I also am ready." Then steps back.
Ilsidur (undead) Thursday June 20th, 2002 1:11:57 PM
Ilsidur watches his companions step forward and address the globe of light, and try to impress it with their abilities and prowess.
Something tries to stir inside his body, where his heart is supposedly located, as he listens to Sir Thomas recite his poem. "Sir Thomas, you have done us proud," he says. "Uteva could have done no better."
Then he steps forward and addresses the globe. "What good am I to you: a walking dwarf with no life, a priest with power, yet no god, no-one to answer my prayers? But if I can do something to stop the powers from creating more like Sly and myself, I will do what I can." He summons the power from within himself, and creates a ball of light beside the glowing globe.
The ORB (DM Cayzle) Thursday June 20th, 2002 2:01:26 PM
Strangely, the patrons of the tavern don't seem to notice the characters or the Orb.
Shiraz has an intuitive sense that he is right, but that his words have not yet been heard as he speaks them -- the Orb had not yet been activated when he spoke.
But then, after all have had a turn, the Orb brightens and then dims.
In response to the Children of Chaos, the Orb speaks again with its mental voice. But this time the smarmy tone is gone, and it is very serious.
"Well, done, Adventurers! You have proven yourselves. So speak now, each in turn or all through one. Know that your words will reach the Dragons, especially the famed and noble Valdor, as soon as you speak them."
"Think well on the news you have to give, and hold back nothing. Even small details -- trivial to you, perhaps -- may prove the key to the defeat of the Dark One."
"If you wish to speak among yourselves, feel free. When you are ready, say the words 'Hear us, oh Dragons,' and whatever you say next will be heard."
"Be careful, though, because words once said cannot be unsaid."
The Orb dims as it waits for the trigger phrase.
Sir Thomas Thursday June 20th, 2002 10:58:11 PM
Quick with his desire to report to the dragons, Thomas pulls up a seat at a table with enough chairs for all. "Ok friends," he speaks when have been seated. "I think the best place to start is with everything since we entered the Void. In my opinion everything else is of little consequence to defeating Marteus and his army. Here's the way I see the outline of the report.
Teleported from Hook City in Southern Continent during riot after deathof Domi.
Arrived in void.
Told of trouble from dark temple in town across from desecrated temple to Alemi.
Entered Temple of Alemi to gain vantage point to observe temple of Marteus.
Found unholy machine used to suck life from people.
Attacked machine and clerics attending it.
Were beaten back because the machine had unknown defensive and magical capabilities.
During retreat we were swept up in a mob and climbed the city wall. Faced with a massive and evil army. Could only watch as the Vampire giant opened a rift in the Void and held it open as the army marched through. He obviously activated the machine we had sought to destroy, and many of the towns folk died an unnatural death.
Sought help from Mattric, a cleric of a now dead god of ?????, who offered helpful information about the town and the machine.
Formulated a better plan and made another attempt to destroy the machine.
called forth the power of the Entropy Bell (which we might note we still don't have full control of and would accept any helpful pointers about its use - i.e. power words, methods of control, invokation rituals, etc etc.
Ilsidur cast the counter spell and that was the force that actually destoryed the machine. However, during the fight, Jurgen used magic to sprout two giant trees that lifted the machine up into the air. As it died, another rift was opened to the Void. It still stands upen, but is guarded by the five Crones of Heranmar.
Ilsidur and Sly were killed by the machine (along with Luke, Sly's dog), but miraculously were walking dead when we emerged from the Void. How is that possible? They retained all of their traits, characteristics, and memories that they possessed in life, but it seems that blood no longer courses through their veins . . . nor does it need to.
We received a message to contact the dragons and now here we are doing just that."
Thomas looks around the group, "What did I miss that you would like to add. Remember, the orb said to include everything, so whatever details I have left out of my recounting you all need to help add." Thomas sits and waits for his friends to chime in with their memory of how the last two or three days played out.
Jurgen Friday June 21st, 2002 1:37:58 AM
As Sir Thomas speaks, Jurgen notes all of this in his mind. Someone would have to say it all to the orb and he wanted to be it. Even though he had been there for only two days, he knew exactly what the group know.
"The disappearance of Willim and Uteva... Remember that too. Don't forget Luke. Oh good, you didn't. Oh yeah, there is still a rather large army headed this way." Jurgen doesn't have much to add, but will speak up quickly is someone begins to say the command words for the dragons to hear them.
Trace Friday June 21st, 2002 8:12:52 AM
Trace listens very carefully, then comments "You have the whole story as far as I see it. I have nothing to add." Then sits down again.
Sly Foxx and Luke(undead) Friday June 21st, 2002 8:29:06 AM
Sly not wanting to get up and see the bright light, will comment "Sir Thomas and Jurgan has covered every thing that I can remember. Except we (Ilsider and Sly) have lived through the machine. The machine has no mind, it does what it is build for. And yet we have free will and can remember things, like your who are with pumping blood. So the machine was doing what it was build for. Would you ask the dragons as to why these black Robe Cleric Saving as many people as they could? Or Sacrificing as many people as they could? That weigh heavy in my mind."
Ilsidur (undead) Friday June 21st, 2002 7:29:02 PM
Ilsidur listens as Sir Thomas recounts the events of the past while.
"You seem to have covered most of the situation. The only things that I would add are: (1) the spell cast by the evil priests that allowed them to pour their essence into the machine was called 'Pour Life', (2) Even though I am 'dead' and my god is 'dead', I still receive power that allows me to act much like I did when I was alive, including spells, and priest-like powers, (3) The five crones have been turned into statues, but still contain some kind of presence, (4)We are the Children of Chaos, and appear to have some fate tied to what is going on in the Wold.
[OOC: Clay, maybe you could look back through the posts, and sum up all that we have been told about being the Children of Chaos. That information might help the Dragons interpret our part in this situation.]
Shiraz Friday June 21st, 2002 8:42:46 PM
Shiraz looks around silently watching the others as they talk about the report and what to include. "Dont forget my arrival, and Altemia's rearrival, those who left and why as well," the taur says softly lost in thought.
OOC sorry for no post yesterday as I was having a crisis sorry (
Discussion (DM Cayzle) Friday June 21st, 2002 8:48:54 PM
"Talking is thirsty work!" The barkeeper startles the Children of Chaos.
He takes orders and gets you drinks.
"You can have anything in the house, so long as it's water or ale. And I don't recommend the water," he says with a snort.
He gives Sly and Ilsidur a second look, but says nothing.
After serving anyone who is thirsty, he then leaves you in peace.
[OOC: Talk it over if you like, friends, and then tell me what it is you say to the Orb. -- Cayzle]
Sly Foxx and Luke(undead) Sunday June 23rd, 2002 3:20:33 PM
Sly tells the others, "I'm ready to fight this evil being, just tell me where and when." Sly lifts his head and winches at the bright light. "Being only half dead and half alive is no way to exist. Might as well do what the Bell calls us for." Them puts his head down again.
Trace(Ceil) Sunday June 23rd, 2002 3:28:42 PM
Trace watches both Ilsadur and Sly, then look to Sir Thomas, "Well Tom, your the man with the words. You talk to them." But fell a little anxious but deep down in his soul he knows that it is the only way. And wonders when it will end.
Sir Thomas Sunday June 23rd, 2002 8:45:43 PM
Thomas looks quizical as he mentally adds the items his friends think relevant to the list. "So then can we agree on this list?
Teleported from Hook City in Southern Continent during riot after death of Domi.
Arrived in Void.
Told of trouble from dark temple in town across from desecrated temple to Alemi.
Entered Temple of Alemi to gain vantage point to observe temple of Marteus.
Found unholy machine used to suck life from people.
Attacked machine and clerics attending it.
Were beaten back because the machine had unknown defensive and magical capabilities.
During retreat we were swept up in a mob and climbed the city wall. Faced with a massive and evil army. Could only watch as the Vampire giant opened a rift in the Void and held it open as the army marched through. He obviously activated the machine we had sought to destroy, and many of the towns folk died an unnatural death. Somewhere in the chaos of the moments two of our group, Willim and Uteva Nerine disappeared. I don't recall exactly when we recognized they were not specifically with us any longer.
Sought help from Mattric, a cleric of a now dead god of ?????, who offered helpful information about the town and the machine.
Formulated a better plan and made another attempt to destroy the machine. Altemia, one of our group decided not to be part of the second attack. Shiraz, a friendly minotaur and fellow Child of Chaos, arrived from a long journey to find us. He was drawn by the power of the Bell. He helped us in the fight against the machine.
Called forth the power of the Entropy Bell (which we might note we still don't have full control of and would accept any helpful pointers about its use - i.e. power words, methods of control, invokation rituals, etc etc.
Ilsidur cast a counter spell to the spell used by the evil clerics, called Pour Life, and that was the force that actually destoryed the machine. However, during the fight, Jurgen used magic to sprout two giant trees that lifted the machine up into the air. As the machine died, another rift was opened to the Void and three of our number were gripped by the unholy, magical arms of the machine. They seem to have lost their lives as a result, but paradoxically they walk as if living. They even carry their old memories, mannerisms, and powers as divined from their chosen gods of worship. (Do the Dragons have any input on this situation?) Additionally, the new rift still stands upen, but is guarded by the five Crones of Heranmar, who seem to have been transformed into stone statues. However, their presence as guardians of the portal is strongly felt by us, the Children of Chaos. Altemia met back up with us.
Ilsidur and Sly were killed by the machine (along with Luke, Sly's dog), but miraculously were walking dead when we emerged from the Void. How is that possible? They retained all of their traits, characteristics, and memories that they possessed in life, but it seems that blood no longer courses through their veins . . . nor does it need to.
We received a message to contact the dragons and now here we are doing just that.
Throughout this message we have, on numberous occasions, mentioned the title Children of Chaos. We assume, in all of your supperior knowledge and wisdom, that you know of the Entropy Bell and all of the significance that the position holds. If not, speak up and we will do our best to help you understand.
Additonally, we have a point and a question to raise. First, the machnie was mindless. It simply did what it was built for. Our fallen friends who act as though living lived through the machine for a short time ad they seem to understand its inner workings. Second, Why . . . or maybe how, or both, were the black robed clerics able to save . . . or sacrifice all of the people of Abandon?"
[OOC: Fell free to cut and paste the list into your own posts and help write our message to the dragons.]
DM Cayzle OOC Monday June 24th, 2002 8:09:19 AM
You guys go ahead and keep posting until you are ready. My next post will be after you give your message to the dragons. Remember the activation phrase is: "Hear us, oh Dragons!"
Sly Foxx and Luke(undead) Monday June 24th, 2002 1:04:15 PM
"Sir Thomas. . .I have nothing to add."
Trace Monday June 24th, 2002 1:06:07 PM
"Neither do I, So let's talk to those Dragons" Trace pulls Sly hood down.
Shiraz Monday June 24th, 2002 3:55:18 PM
Shiraz looks at the bartender, "Ale for my friends and I please." Shiraz turns around and looks at Sir Thomas "I an only attest to what it is that I know and from my arrival to now it seems accurate."
Jurgen Monday June 24th, 2002 9:21:08 PM
A small smile crosses Jurgen's face. Sir Thomas had the information, but refused to say it. Jurgen knew most of it and wanted to. None others wanted to... Oh well.
"Now we're supposed to say 'Hear us, Oh dragons' then talk? Uh oh! Um... I'm not ready... Uh." He stutters mindlessly for a couple of seconds, then begins with what they had decided to say.
"This all started when the group teleported in, from a place called Hook City, after Domi died. Arriving in the void, which I still have no clue about, they were told of something in the temple. They went to the Temple of Alemi, to see what was in the Temple of Marteus. I think they were the Children of Chaos then, probably.
They found a machine that sucked the life out of people. Attacking the clerics, and the machine itself, they were beaten back. This is where I come in! I saved everyone. My heroic efforts did it all.
We were retreating and we saw a HUGE, GIAGANTIC, Thing... It was you know... not living. Anyway. It was bringing a very massive army through a hole in the void. There wasn't anything we could do. We really could use some help, because I'm the only really brave, smart, wonderful and amazing one. Some lady started yelling about how I'm a Child of Chaos. I was just trying to help her, 'onest.
Mattric, a divine guy, helped us out. That's when Uteva kissed me... She said she didn't mean to, but I think she did. The others tried to fight over her, but I was the one who got kissed. See! I'm the best!
We got a new plan. This time, with me. I made the idea. Altemia left. This really strange thing, I mean minotaur, came along and joined the group.
Being the Children of Chaos, we used our Entropy power, from the Entropy Bell. We still need to know more about both, so if you can think of anything at all that could help us or teach us...
Ilsidur, the dwarf person, cast the counterspell to Pour Life. That was the spell that fueled the machine. That killed it. BUT! I, being really smart and awesome, made two tree's shoot out like a crossbow from the ground. This flung the tree into the air.
When the machine died, the giant did too. Because the rift closed on him, splitting the thing in two. There is still a lot of an army here though, probably wanting to kill.
Three of us died. Ilsidur, Sly and Luke. Now their back. But really creepy! I don't wanna even go here them. I get all gittery. But they are somewhat normal. They even have their same mind. Even Ilsidur can use his divine magic, which is really funny. You see, his god died. He died. Can you tell us anything you know about that? The rift is still there, but 5 stones protect it. Yeah... Confusing.
This strange glowy orb told us to tell what happened. The group says it'll tell the Dragons. Who are the Dragons? I'm kind of a dragon! It's so much fun!
Oh yeah! Altemia is back. She was a big chicken. Left for the fight, came back when we finished.
Throughout this message we have, on numberous occasions, mentioned the title Children of Chaos. We assume, in all of your supperior knowledge and wisdom, that you know of the Entropy Bell and all of the significance that the position holds. If not, speak up and we will do our best to help you understand.
Additonally, we have a point and a question to raise. First, the machnie was mindless. It simply did what it was built for. Our fallen friends who act as though living lived through the machine for a short time ad they seem to understand its inner workings. Second, Why . . . or maybe how, or both, were the black robed clerics able to save . . . or sacrifice all of the people of Abandon?" Jurgen shakes, both vocally and physically. That ending bit sure didn't sound like him. He hated quoting from someone else. He looks around to the group, motioning for them to add anything they want. If nothing, he finishes it off cheerily.
"Bye! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. I am Jurgen. A Child of Chaos. Dabbler in the magics. Leader of the Children of Chaos... Really, I am. Yeppers, just me."
Sir Thomas Monday June 24th, 2002 10:06:17 PM
A highly offended Sir Thomas rolls his eyes and allows Jurgen to finish his soliloque to the dragons. He has many rebuttals to Jurgens self-enthralled meanderings through the recounting of a life that only a fool or one who has lost their mind could have lived. Thomas clears his throat and very calmly begins to address the dragons himself. "Well good dragons, I shall fill in the holes that our wonderous, self-centered, and self-proclaimed leader has conveniently left in the story. We are the Children of Chaos. We have been so for many many moons, all it seems except Jurgen, who only just became one and seems to be our leader. Our title came about when we accidentally allowed the Entropy Bell to ring in a small church outside of Heranmar. The Five Crones - Wisdom, Sorrow, Watcher, Justice, and the one who is unnamed - warned us not to let it ring and also that we would be curse and cure once it had been rung. We developed a tattooed mark of a spiraling circle on our hands, and with it a power that we are still trying to understand. IF you could help us understand the workings of the power of the Entropy Bell that makes us the Children of Chaos we would be greatful and use it to fight the evil that marches on the Wold.
Additionally, the 'Huge, Gigantic thing' that our elegant and fearless 'leader' has so eloquently described was a machine of some sort. I am not familiar with its construction or workings, but it was made of metal . . . as a sword is made of such . . . except it had joints and moving parts. It also had human hands attached to it by some magical means so that they could move freely and independently as an arm moves about the shoulder. It had the ability to steal souls. Souls that did not want to be taken. As we were in the Void, which seems to be an alternate but parallel world of a sort, it stole all of the souls of the inhabitants of the town of Abandon . . . all except ours and the clerics of the machine. Our friends who seem to have given up the ghost without dying lived through it for a short time and they seem to think that it was not alive at all. but that instead, it performed the duty that it was built for.
The actions of Jurgen seem to have allowed for a second portal to the Void to remain open. The machine reamins suspended in the air by the trees Jurgen magically sprouted and a portal exists underneath it that seems to allow free passage to the Void and back. However, the five crones seem to have been transmuted into rocks. Though they seem to be inanimate objects now, we Children of Chaos can feel their presence protecting and guarding the portal. We are not able to discern whether they protect its use or whether any can pass through it. Which brings up the point that there is still a massive army of Marteus in the Void trying to pass into the Wold. The portal may need to be distroyed to keep our world safe."
Thomas looks at Jurgen when he makes the end of his address to the Dragons. "All of the rest of Jurgens tale seems to be accurate enough not to comment on. However, I will add that Altemia is no coward and Shiraz is no beast. No more than our friend Jurgen anyway. It was through the efforts of the group that we all stand . . . in whatever form we stand . . . today. We tend to work together in a sort of democracy when the situation allows. We overcome obstacles together, or not at all, and we call ourselves the Southern Lights. We seek your wisdom and advice in formulating a plan of action so that we can add our strength to the defensive efforts of those in the Wold. There is an army of Marteus that seems to be marching through the Southern Continent and we sit directly in its path. Oh great and wise dragons, we beseech you to offer whatever help you can. We are honest, loyal, and determined to be savior rather than destroyer." Thomas offers a slight, respective bow to the group to show that he is finished speaking and wishes someone else to add to the telling if such additions are needed or desired.
Altemia Monday June 24th, 2002 11:21:34 PM
Knowing that others there are more elequent than she, Altemia allows them to speak for her to the wondrous Dragons. As Jurgen tells his version of the tale, Altemia's eyes open wide and her mouth starts to drop. Not taking her eyes off him, she starts to take her head. Unable to believe some of what Jurgen is saying, she almost starts to laugh. Until he comes to the part of her cowardliness.
Altemia hisses and starts to reach for her scimitar when Sir Thomas starts to speak. Taking slow breaths to try and calm herself, Altemia listens to his story for the Dragons. At his insistence that she is not a coward, Altemia looks over at him and catches his eye. Smiling, she winks at him before moving to stand near Jurgen.
Completely calm now, although still angry, Altemia takes hold of Jurgens arm and pulls him away from the rest of the group.
Lowering her voice so as not to be heard through the orb she says, "Look here little brother. For you must be so, since you bear the same mark as the rest of us. Otherwise, after that performance you just pulled young man, I would not call you brother. I am no coward, nor is Shiraz a beast. I am angered by your words and your actions, but I do not and will not retaliate against another of my group. Neither will I let you walk over me. You are young, I am 134 years old. Young for my kind, but much much older than you. Be careful little one to not make enemies among your friends by your words and actions.
From what I heard of the fight in Alemi's temple, you did well. As did the others. Everyone who was there did well. Some lost their life...sort of. I, myself, do not feel comfortable around Sly or Ilsidur, not even Luke. But I will not hold it against them, nor should you. You must try to overcome your feelings toward them, as I am."
Realizing that she has said much more than she ever had to any other member of the group at one time, and much more than she had intended to to the boy, she blushes slightly and moves back into the group to stand next to Sir Thomas, leaving Jurgen alone.
Jurgen Monday June 24th, 2002 11:49:16 PM
Jurgen listens to Sir Thomas and as he does so, a grin slinking across his lips. He mouth, opening and closing it a couple of times, stretching. This was the funnest thing to do. Not like fighting, that got boring fast. Dodge, Dodge, Use Magic, Run, Dodge. Joking around though, that was worth spending time on. Lots of time. Although lately he'd just been bugging people. Maybe it wasn't so fun when others didn't like it.
As Altemia pulls him away from the group, Jurgen curses in his head. Uh oh, not good. He did something wrong, didn't he? She was really angry. Not just 'That was not a good idea'. No, it was the 'I would have killed you' kind of angry. He tries to say something defend himself, but finds himself stuttering and kicking at his feet.
As Altemia walks away, he finally gets the guts to say something. As uncoherant as it is. "I didn't mean... I just... I'm sorry." Then he just sits himself down in at a table, a few feet from the group. He wanted to be alone, but might have to do something still. Maybe he'd have a chance later. Hopefully.
Sticking a hand into his pocket, Jurgen looks around for something. Nothing in particular, anything really. Finally he remembers a key feature to these pants. Invisioning cheese, he pulls his hand out. And there it is, a block of cheese. Probably not as good as the Ale that Shiraz got the group, but something nonetheless.
Sly Foxx and Luke(undead) Tuesday June 25th, 2002 5:23:26 AM
"Jurden, Come sit next to me and listen for a while." Sly tells the Young One, "I know you woun't like it, but Little Brother, Maybe you'll think next time you speak."
Shiraz Tuesday June 25th, 2002 9:49:16 AM
Shiraz glowers atr Jurgen and walks over to him quietly, "I am many thing boy, a bull a man but a beast, I am nor will I ever be BEAST to anyone. This fine group of people may allow you to get away with speaking before you think but I will not, I think you need more instruction in the art of civility, but at the moment the best I can give you is advice and here it is, Be still the fluttering tongue in your mouth and let those who are older and wiser speak first defer to those who have been here longest then speak up." Shiraz strides away angry at himself as much as Jurgen who is just a child, "I shouldnt be so hard on him," the others can hear him mutter softly followed by a snort and "Beast indeed...Huge, gigantic..."
Jurgen Tuesday June 25th, 2002 9:04:37 PM
Looking at Sly, then Shiraz, he begins to appear puzzled. He called Shiraz a beast? He said strange thing. Oh well.
At Sly's beconing, Jurgen does nothing. Not because he didn't like Sly. Well, not orginally. Yet now he was undead. That was something Jurgen could not take.
The Orb dims (DM Cayzle) Wednesday June 26th, 2002 10:18:09 AM
After Jurgen and Thomas speak, the Orb says, in its mental voice, "Your message has been sent. The Dragons will contact you." Then it dims until it is no more bright than the light fixture it is pretending to be.
The group talks, having a little food.
Not much happens for a while.
It might even seem a little anticlimactic. It is mid-afternoon.
[OOC: I think this is a natural place to pause and give out experience points. You undead folks are a special case -- I'll send you e-mail. Also, if you want to nominate anybody for especially good heroism or role-play, please e-mail me. Thanks! -- Cayzle]
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