Arcana and Steam: A World in Peril (IC)

[Morgoth]

Garothos sat in his mighty throne, carved from the bones of a Great Wyrm, and brooded. Handsome features illuminated by the dim, flickering torchlight, he sat alone in the cavernous hall. He had sent away his court, his generals, and his wives so that he could think.

The mortal nations were falling, slowly, but surely. His reign would be everlasting... unless the old woman he had spitted so long ago was right. Even as he had impaled her she had clutched his throat with a vice-like grip, the empty sockets where eyes had once been stared deep into his own, crystal-blue orbs and she spoke in a clear, powerful voice, "Beware, oh immortal Lord, those who come upon the moon of devoured hearts. Beware those who come bearing the pride of ages. Beware those who come holding forth the beacon of mortality."

Garothos barked out a short laugh. "Riddles and madness!" he screamed suddenly, hurling his wine-filled goblet away. His deep voice reverbarated through the enormous chamber, echoed by the clanging of metal on stone.

He sat silently, then, for hours, pondering. His chortle was unnatural, abrupt, and if anyone was there to hear it, they would've fled in open-mouthed terror. It was followed by a soft whisper. "I'm going to find you. I'm going to find you all."

 

[rengadeirishman]

Eirik awoke from a restless sleep, in his chamber deep in the heart of Mount Kalagorm. He had once again dreamt of the voices telling him about a war with the Empire. "Bloody Garothos. Isk koggween!" he swore in dwarvish he banged his gong and a servant appeared a moment later "You called my lord?" "Beer and breakfast as soon as possible, thank you Cora." "As you wish my lord." the young dwarf-maiden blushed at being thanked by the handsome young Mountain King and hurried off. He slipped out of bed and donned a tunic as he did his morning exercises. "breakfast first, then my constitutional." he said sitting back down, while he was waiting he performed his morning ritual to the blade spirits as he sharpened his royal sword and his throwing axes, his preferred weapon, Gramr, never needed sharpening. The maid returned with a large pail of cold beer and his breakfast and Eirik threw her a gold coin. As she thanked him profusely and left, he started in on his breakfast of salted pork, fresh bread and tomatoes, and poured a goblet of beer.

 

[Screech]

Cecil rubbed his eyes as he sat on the side of his bed. It had been another long night refilling spent casings for the Gnomish guard of Coppermount, and he'd only got a few hours of sleep - his water clock told him as much. Still, it was his duty as a loyal citizen to aid in the defence in any way he could. Of course, Cecil would soom wake up properly once he got to the smithy. Pulling on his white suit and rather expensive smoking jacket, he made his way out of his home and toward the main promenade. Something was happening today, some sort of public announcment from the Grand Creator's officials....

 

[Devilgrl]

Ereal stood in her chamber at the Humans high city. Words given to her directly to poison Gen.Athas Lindwer (ooc running short on names lol). Her fine sil gown rusled in the wind as she came to the doorway she was having dinner in The generals castle.

At the dinner The general was unusually easy going his wife looked especially sexy tonught she licked her lips.Thats when the questions came. They were all tactical questions of what the demons tend to do in warring areas. Ereal did not know how to explain but she winged it. *Cmon just take a swig of the wine*was all Ereal could think about that and the Generals wife. The general finally drank his wine and she left the dinning room. *hmm should i bring her with me nah* is what Ereal thought as she walked towards her room.

At about 9:00 at night she heard shouts. "THE GENERAL IS DEAD" Ereal was already out the window by then. "Whoa it's high" she said out loud. She crawled along the edge. As she crawled she passed A window with Athas' wife in it. "Ok I give in* she broke the window and jumped through. Athaas' wife screamed. Ereal ran to her wrapped her in her arms. Kissed her quickly but passioantly. then ran to the window. Athas' wife just stood there, Ereal gave a wink then was gone in the wind.

By 12:00 she was already a mile form the city. All hell had broken lose

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Two hundred summers ago...

Fiandorel the White​

Fiandorel soared through the night sky, making her way across the vast range of mountains that were the Draklor Chain. She had ventured out after moonset nightly for three moons in search of a place to make a new lair. Each time she flew farther and farther away, until three nights ago when she finally found it.

It was an island. Small by normal standards, but there was an small mountainous area which included an inactive volcano on its northern end. Inside were mazes of caverns and even a hot spring which bubbled up merrily from deep below the surface.

On the southern tip of the island was a small fishing village. There were only a few lesser folk living there and a handful of ratlings. She wondered why there were not more, they seemed peaceful enough. No matter.

Fiandorel had no quarrel with humans and thought that it was entirely possible for them to co-exist, one of the bones of contention among the others of her kind. She had thought long and hard before making her decision to leave The Colony, but once her decision was made the white knew there would be no turning back.

She circled the island one last time before beginning her descent into the cone of the volcano. She had fed earlier, so all that was needed was to make herself comfortable and sleep. Having chosen a spot, she settled her bulky body, curling up into a ball, albeit a rather large ball, and resting her head on her tail, the magnificent White was soon fast asleep.

The day star rose early in the sky though it didn't shine into Fiandorel's lair until it reached its highest peak at almost noon. She yawned and stretched languidly, arching her back. Mmm... she murmured to herself as the scent of a boar somewhere close reached her nostrils. Breakfast.

Fiandorel stood, flexing her wings in preparation for flight. In one fluid motion she was airborne and spiralling upward into the welcome sunlight of a beautiful summer day. She resisted the temptation to go flying, however, instead extending her talons and swooping down on her unsuspecting prey.

She made short shrift of the meager repast before easing herself into a nearby mountain pool to wash before basking a while in the sun. Flapping her wings, Fiandorel lifted her scales, letting the cool water run under them.

The sound of the quiet gasp almost didn't reach her over the noisy splashing she was making. Turning her enormous head, the White dragon spotted a graybeard who must have wandered across the island for some reason.

Eyes wide, the man stood quite still for a moment before laying his spear gently on the ground and dropping to his knees. Surprised, Fiandorel grinned widely, her teeth glinting in the midday sun as she moved toward the pool's edge. Nudging him, she bade him get up.

 

[Furion9]

Dawn slowly creeped over the horizon, casting soft rays of light through the slender windows of the keep. Katan slowly rolls out of his bunk and stretches, gathering his long hair behind his shoulders as he slowly slides into his armor. Reverently he takes Eloran and Armendir from their racks and walks out of his room. The Ranger-Captain proceeds down a long hallway and onto the outer wall of Talornel, a soft smile crossing his features as a gentle breeze flutters his cloak and makes his hair dance.

"Captain."

"No need to be so formal, Dalion." Katan chuckles at his childhood friend, now a lieutenant of Talornel. "Any signs of the enemy?"

"Nothing yet, here in the capital at least. The scouts report that they're pressing ever closer. Three towns have fallen already..."

Katan sighs and turns grimly toward the horizon, his armor gleaming in the morning light. "Damn that Garothos... As you were. I must speak with my father."

"Isn't it a bit early to see the General? Get some food first!" Katan snickers, pausing on the steps, "I'm sure he's awake and brooding. Don't worry about me."

 

[Morgoth]

Tooernoth

Tooernoth the Moderately Wiser rose at the behest of the White Dragon. Just as he had reached his full, unaspiring height of five feet, two inches, he once more fell to his knees, prostrating himself in every way he knew. Ancient, wrinkled features became furrowed in concentration as he began to cycle through old, cryptic dialects to match with his ritualized, practiced gestures. At last, he came to Draconic, furiously praising the White. "Oh, Mighty Wyrm, Ruler of the Isle, Queen of the Folk, I beg unto you, to come see your domain!" His voice was weak, creaky, much like his worn joints. On his knees, he continued his wild pleas for Fia to survey her "domain."

 

[Screech]

Having been standing for close to an hour to the Gnomish announcement, Cecil had wandered off once the crowds had dispursed. He walked through the noisy close streets deep in thaught, not really hearing the hustle and bustle around him which made the Gnomish city seem even smaller and more confined to him. Was it true? Had they really built a ship that could sail through the air? Such a wonderous thing to have constructed! And what it must look like! Once again, he went over the announcemnt..

"My fellows! The Grand Creator sends his greetings to you all on another fine day! You all are to bear witness to the greatest feat of Gnomish engeneering since the great wheel-ships, backbone of our economy! A great ship has been constructed to bear fifty people across the mountains and over the Sea of Blades to the capital of our kin-folk, the Dwarves! I hear you say 'but how? The Sea of Blades is treacherous', and to this I tell you that this ship will not travel apon land or water, but the very air itsself! Come one, come all to the office of the Grand Creator and put your name down for this once in a lifetime journey!"

Cecil wandered just how much such a thing would cost, but with luck it would be free. If not, he could always sell his jacket, or a take on a special contract for guncrafting. Just as he reached his small gunsmithy, he reached a descision - he was going to go

 

[cats]

Valerie

IC: "Please allow me to escort you in." you insignificant worm. My face displayed only the lies of joy I wish it did. Lieing wasn't something I normally did unless it helped me, and ever since Ustel said I can't tell off the guests I had been lieing a lot.

I walked down the hall to a large set of oak doors. I only accepted the secretary position because I figured I could get my phylactery back when he did something stupid. I figured by now he'd demand to sleep with me, but I guess he is smart enough to think, if I get that close to him he is dead. Or perhaps he is smarter still, and knows I can't kill him until I know where the phylactery is. Either way, the job has been duller then I'd like.

I opened the door. "Your excellency, your five o'clock is here." I bowed as the guest walked past me. I then stood up letting my eyes dart around the room, looking for clues to the whereabouts of my soul. Finding none I left shutting the door behind me.

 

[Morgoth]

Ustel

With a sound of roaring thunder behind him, the small, mousey man came bolting through the door Valerie had just escorted him through. Miraculously, the man leapt to the side just as a green lance of energy tore through the space he'd been in moments ago. The green light continued, slamming into one of the doors across the hall, detonating them in an enormous flash of light.

The emissary continued to run, not even looking back. Ustel glided from his office, long robes hovering nearly three feet from the ground, eyes like molten silver flecked with a deep, flowing red. His shoulder-length silver hair floated behind him, and electricity crackled along them. Quite clearly, he was full of arcane power, and the look on his face placed him quite clearly as livid.

Nervous servants scrambled away from view, desperate not incur the fabled wrath of the Lord Advisor. His face calming into a placid smoothness, he visibly let go of the magic. Slowly, he settled to the ground, his eyes fading into a human's simple hazel orbs. His hair collapsed onto his shoulders, and the electricity fizzled out instantly.

He gave a smile to Valerie. "My dear, I have a task for you. Something more... rousing than your current employ. It seems that there is an assassin in the country. Some damnable wench that's killed a general! Now! When we're at war with that insane bastard! I want you to find and gut her. I mean that literally. I want entrails everywhere. Oh, and all we know is she's near Eliorne. Any questions?" he said mildly, the smile remaining steady and warm, like that of a favorite uncle, on his kindly face. Without waiting to hear Valerie's response, he stated, "No? Well, okay then. Happy hunting! And remember - entrails! Everywhere!" With that, he strode back into his officer, the door slamming loudly shut.

From inside could be heard vocieferous cursing, interspersed with the occasional incantation.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Two hundred years ago...

Fiandorel​

The graybeard was called Tooernoth the Moderately Wiser, Fiandorel learned. The headman of his village, he had been on a quest when he had stumbled upon her bathing. The Lesser Being was in awe of the magnificent dragon though strangely not afraid, even though it was more than obvious that she could have ended his life in the blink of an eye. That in itself was enough to pique Fiandorel's curiosity.

Eventually, she chose to appear before Tooernoth in a form more akin to his own and he returned to her often. The two became more comfortable with each other as time passed, an unusual bond growing between them despite the fact that Tooernoth remained obsequious in his fawning and kowtowing. She needed to establish a sort of alliance or at least a friendly truce with the people on this island. Her very existence -- and that of her forthcoming clutch -- depended on it.

The fisherfolk were suspicious of her presence among them when Tooernoth
first took her to his village. Who was she? Where did she come from? Why hadn't any of them been aware of her before? The ratlings were far more accepting of her presence and that is what she used to learn more of them and gain the Lesser Beings' trust... or at least plant the seeds for a peaceful coexistence.

Her white hair and the age-old wisdom in her eyes belied her youthful features. She would run and gambol through the trees laughing brightly with the young ones and they looked forward to her visits, though she was still much of an enigma.

Most of all, they looked forward to Fiandorel's stories. Legends of great flying creatures and their fantastic adventures. Tales of gallantry and romance. At first the older ones listened from a distance, but eventually found places in the circle around her as she wove the strands and made them see her words.

Today was such a day. The children ran to Fiandorel when she walked into the village, jumping and laughing and greeting her as they formed a circle around her.

"Good morn, silly creatures" she chuckled. "First I must have a word with Tooernoth and then we will have time for play." It was time to reveal the reason for her presence on their island.

 

[Devilgrl]

Ereal slipped through the shadows. It was night ,about 1pm. A crowd of guards stood blocking the road. She looked into the trees there were men there to. *Save me gods* she thought as she crept to the nearest man.

She thought the process of killing a man silently. *sneak up behind him* she crept behind a tree. *Turn quickly cover his mouth* she rolled over the bark of the tree and covered his mouth. *Put dagger over neck and slice* the man fell limp. She dragged the body back took his clothes off him then put the on herself. She also took his musket.

She traveled a little more before she reached the sea. going into an alley she quickly undressed out of her soldiers uniform. and took the next to Uldergrath to report fr her next mission. !?!

 

[sodalitas]

Vetch

Many base emotions had driven his actions before: rage and fear were most likely responsible for his survival on the battlefield, and lust had been the cause of more than a few of his troubles; but at this very moment it was hunger's turn in the driver's seat.

It had been days since Vetch had last eaten. After being seperated from his horde and finding himself lost in unfamiliar territory he had been travelling aimlessly. He had split away from the gnome who had shared his confinement at the first opportunity. He was grateful for his help in fashioning him a weapon, or possibly it was more correct to say fashioning him into a weapon, and the only way he knew of to repay the strange little man was to not kill him. And that meant not being around him when the hunger hit.

His huddled form looked through the rain to his prey, which he assumed was a medium sized goat of some kind. It was taking shelter from the rain under a slanting slab of rock in the hillside and seemed relatively at ease. The rain and the wind's direction was most likely hiding Vetch's scent. He hoped it masked his sounds as well.

He launched himself into a jog, not trusting his ability to navigate the terrain at any faster pace, and closed the distance between them. His muscles burned at the exertion. His lungs strained to keep up. His eyes never wavered.

The goat (or whatever it was) caught wind of him as he closed with it, spinning around to perceive the danger. Vetch leapt, swinging both of his hands forwards so that his blades both struck its body at the same instance. They each punched deeply into its flesh, but the force of his jump was more than his famine-weakened arms could handle, and his elbows buckled, causing the rest of his body to slam into the goat's head. Which was much more solidly built than he would have expected. And had horns.

He was not sure whether he fell to the ground before or after he vomitted, but both he and the goat recovered at about the same time. The goat turned to bolt through the other side of its impromtu lean-to of rock but one of its legs gave out, the result of a deep slash through its muscle.

Vetch saw his prey, his survival, striving to get away and knew he only had moments to realize either its immediate demise or his inevitable demise. He leapt again, but this time he activated the blades. Blood coursed through metallic tubes that ran from the muscles of his back into the blades on his hands and coated the edges moments before the blades again found purchase in his prey, this time deep in its side.

The goat emitted a death scream as the blood burned away at its flesh and organs. Vetch shuddered as he delivered the death blow, the adrenaline surging through his body feeling like lightning bolts on his nerves. He shuddered again as the adrenaline rush faded and he felt the loss of his blood. He felt cold and weak. He fell on top of the wet steaming carcass, fainting as the smell of its blood hit his nostrils and turned his empty, starving stomach.

After a moment he collected himself and began to eat.

 

[RoneLith]

Lord Uchantus

Today would be the last day in his families home in Dir, he would leave this life in favor of pursueing his goals. He vowed never to return only the Lord General's home suited his needs now, still as confident and as powerful as he was, Uchantus knew he was not ready to over take his commander. Their was some strength he knew he was missing and he needed to find it.

His affairs were finally in order his home would be sold after today and heirlooms that he had collected over the years would be safegaurded by other members of his clan until his return to take over the position of Lord General then finally destory the worlds largest calamity, Garothos.

As he emerged from the steam room not bothering to place a towl around his waist, his swords and companions awaited him. Reen and Rend both bowed as he passed and took up their places behind him with Reen to his right and Rend behind her. Their clothing never changed, being swords they had no real need for clothing but knew it would be less troublesome to fit in with others. Reen always wore a blue summer dress with a stripe of white across the waist her hair pulled back from her face but allowed to flow freely down her back. Rend would only wear black shorts with red flames down the sides. Uchantus had felt it important to carry little to nothing with him as possible and had commisioned the creation of clothing that would act as his protection from the elements and attackers, since his quest for strength would likely lead him to violence. His request had been simple enough, strong and flexible and never needing cleaning or repair. Since his body could take most direct hits from swords and knives he had requested his clothing to offer good protection from the arcane it could absorb most weak spells and when he concentrated could block many stronger ones. However the stronger Arcane useres could get through his defenses although he doubted that most of them would have time to even cast before his speed ran them through. Though a little arrogant he always kept in mind that there will be those that can beat him, the destiny he allowed himself put two of those in his path. The clothing he had laid out before he stepped into the steam room for his morning shower and steam. Soft cream pants, light brown shoes, green button shirt which he left the top two unbuttoned and a cream over coat.

"You look very hansome Master," Reen spoke softly conveying a deep carring for the well being of her master.

"Thank you Reen," His voice held power and authority though it was very calm it could almost be considered cold.

"Master," Rend useally only spoke when he wanted something. "When will I be like you?" His voice was small although he tried constantly to make himself sound older.

Reen noticed the irritated look in her masters eyes and was about to scold the young Rend when she watched her master do something she had never seen.

Uchantus turned to Rend and kneeled down at his level this was out of character for him when he addressed Rend but felt it nesscacary to convey the point he was about to make. "Rend, you should never be like someone else, never imitate."

Uchantus knew he did not understand completely but they had wasted enough time, besides Reen would fill him in as always. Uchantus stood and headed for the doorway.

"Do you understand Rend?" Reen asked him.

"No sister, I don't."

"You can not be like Lord Uchantus you can only be yourself, but you can hold yourself to the same discipline and values that master has. We will follow him for all eternity and become great just like our master, only it will be us and not copies of our master behind him."

"Why?"

"Because our master knows that while he is strong, he will be stronger with individuals supporting him rather than copies of himself. Do you understand?"

"No, is it one of those things that I will get when I am older?"

"If you want to think of it that way." Reen smiled down at Rend remembering how old she was when she first met her Lord.

"Alright for now I will try to be me and I will help Master Uchantus however I can. Do you think Lord Uchantus will mind if I give out those shirts to people we meet?"

"Lord Uchantus dosen't care what you do only that you support him as he would you, so no I don't think he will mind."

"Good," Rend grinned and giggled slightly. "I want everyone to know how great our Master is and those t-shirts our perfect."

 

[cats]

Valerie

OOC: This post is mostly preparations before Valerie's mission.

IC: Well I guess this beats sitting around here all day. I grabbed Thanifex from the side of my desk. Do I have a spell to place ones entrails all over? No I don't, I'll have to modify my implosion spell. I walked out of my office, if one would choose to call it such. My office was directly in front of Ustels office, and like most rooms in the building guarded against certain spells such as teleport. The courtyard however was a zone that allowed teleportation, which is why I headed there. Still I often wondered how it was Ustel managed to teleport inside the building the way he does, but I and no other I know of can.

I quickly reached the courtyard, I moved to the center all the while being watched by weaker mages and guards. These pawns knew the way I looked and acted well enough not to bother me. With a few gestures and thoughts I had transported myself in-front of my lair. Honestly I considered a number of the precautions I was forced to endure a burden, if some fool had decided to attack me, that fool would quickly regret its decision. I made my way inside and into my library.

I had collected many great arcane works while searching for a method to preserve my grander, and the library only became more impressive with the passing time allowed by my long life. Unfortunately Ustel had requested I donate numerous books to his personal collection, all the same my library remained impressive. I looked at the shelf and pulled out a dusty red tome entitled "Quick Killing and You." I flipped threw the pages and found the implosion spell which caused a persons outer-parts to cave into their inner parts.

"Hmm seems simple enough, but how to modify it. I suppose if I change this to Melfs fifth gesture and this utterance hear to one in the Kane series, ones entrails should be forced out. Still it might simply be easier to pop the subject with a force effect then reverse this spell. But my work is practically done on this explosion spell." I spent a few more moments fine tunning the spell to my satisfaction.

"Now lets see if this is as effective in the real world as it is on paper." I uttered a few words and summoned a goblin, that stood in the middle of the room. I then cast the new spell on my unwitting test subject. Immediately its gut began to swell to the creatures horror and it grabbed its belly in pain, a few moments latter its chest burst open and its guts oozed out like the pus of a popped zit. "How disappointing, that was less dramatic then I had hopped." I waved my hand in a simple gesture and the goblin was returned to the spot it was summoned from. "Still seeing the results I know exactly what to do, and the spell will be more then capable of dealing with any elf, human, or gnome, as well as most dwarfs.

I then moved over to my alchemist lab and grabbed the freshly brewed oil. I dipped the stylist into the concoction and began to inscribe the complex spiraling array onto Thanifex, 20 minutes latter I had began to place the complex circles on my arms that completed the spell casting array. Once it was done I lit a few candles and etched arcane writings into the air. This ceremony forms a bond between myself and Thanifex that allows me to quickly cast enchantments into for offensive or defensive purposes. Once I had finished this ritual, I reset the alchemist lab so I could preform it once more in a month.

Now I had to select the gear I would bring. I went to my amour and grabbed a suitable set of travels garments, one I wouldn't mind getting blood on. I then looked threw a number of pouches, each of witch was a portal into an extrademansional space. "Lets see, for this mission I guess I will bring number four." Number four weighed about five pounds regardless of what was in it, of coarse it normally was about half full and contained 2 spare sets of clothing two rolls of paper currency, usually more then enough for a week of expenses, a knife, some rope, a vial of truth serum, some jerky encase I find some one who needs to eat, some elven perfume, and an ivory brush. I grabbed a empty scroll case and long narrow sheath of boiled leather I use for wand storage. I then move over to my chest of arcane goodies, I say a few command words and gesture on top of it disabling the trap, I then pull out the key and unlock it. The seemingly wooden chest opens and displays its contents to me.

"For this trip I will take this one." I grab my favorite spell book, which I seem to take on nearly every mission. I then flip it open to a blank page and add my new spell to it, after all I was confident I'd be ask by Ustel to use it again. I then paused for a moment considering the new spell, entrail eviction. I then reached for the bottom book in the stack entitled "Acceptable Ways of Killing Ustel," I then added the spell there and put it back into the box. I was fairly confident old age would take Ustel before I would, but all the same it was fun to self indulge. I then grabbed a rolled up fabric mat and opened it. Inside was a large number of wands I had made over the years. I grabbed three that contained spells I was likely to use. After rolling it back up and placing it into the box, I began to rummage threw the less organized stack of scrolls. "Hmm what may be useful for this mission." I grabbed a scroll teleportation, just in case I had to flee while out of spells, I then set a scroll of animal speech next to it, on top of those to I set a scroll of breech wall. I place the three scrolls into the case, I then grab a detailed world map and place it along side them.

I move over to my vanity table and place the signet ring Ustel gave me onto my right hand. This was a simple nonmagical device that saves me all sorts of trouble and expenses. I than sat down and began to brush my hair. Once my hair had reached my satisfaction, I tied it back and moved outside to begin my mission.

 

[rengadeirishman]

When Eirik had finished his breakfast he went for his morning run to stay in shape. he was intercepted halfway through his second lap by one of his servants who came up to breathless "My lord.... Runner....the king...Garothos....Invasion" "Calm down lad, control yourself what's the message?" The dwarf, still breathing hard "Lord Eirik, a runner has arrived from the king.." the servant paused for breath "Garothos has started pushing into Stronleg! the king requests you bring your army to Irongate." Eirik roared in fury "THE EMPIRE DESIRES WAR!? WAR WITH THE DWARVES?! THEN A WAR I SHALL BRING THEM, A WAR LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!" Eirik rushed off back towards his main citadel with his servant following behind "My lord, your orders?" he asked fearfully "ASSEMBLE MY ARMY, WE RIDE TO IRONGATE, READY THE STEAMTRUCKS!"

 

[RoneLith]

Lord Uchantus

"Are you sure you will not reconsider?" One of the houses many servants asked, already knowing the answer--silence. Lord Uchantus continues to walk the halls as his servants bowed out of great respect for their master. While he was quite and held himself above them he never mistreated the caretakers of his home. In fact most of the servants were paid higher than those at equal houses. It was one of the reasons that they had begged him not to leave. However, they knew their master once his mind had set a path their was no changeing it. Their only hope was in beliveing in him and awaiting his return to take charge of the demon race. Fervently they belived he would realize his goals and they would be able to work for him once more this time in a much larger house.

Reen and Rend walked behind them wishing his servants well and saying their goodbyes for themselves as well as Lord Uchantus since he would never speak to one of his servants as an equal, that he useally saved for Reen when Rend was not around.

Lord Uchantus reached the frount door a few moments later decending the large stair and meeting the houses butler who acted as a liason between himself and his servants. "Master," he spoke in a quite tone loud enough for Uchantus to hear but quite to avoid prying ears. "I have taken the liberty of prepareing a small pouch of some of the funds from the sale of this house for you on your journey. In total their is about two thousand which I assume should be sufficent. The rest of the two million has been diveded into two portions half has gone to your accounts with World Bank, while the other has been distrubuted among the staff here as you requested. On behalf of all the staff here we thank you, may your journey be fruitful and know that each of us eagerly await your return." Uchantus stopped at the door before opening and turned to face those that had served him and his family for many years. Reen and Rend quickly took positions to the right and left of their master, standing slightly behind him.

"I thank you for your years of service, I shall call on you again when I return." Such uncharacteristic generosity from their Master caused his servants to fall to their knees in thanks. Some whispered thanks while others wished him well on his travels, all felt deeply moved by his words. As they stood hoping to see him one last time, to their dismay he had already left as if never really being their at all. In their hearts they knew he would return and they all hoped it would be soon.

 

[Donsehan]

Ara'vilar Amastacia

Ara'vilar Amastacia:

I looked towards the city, my eyes could tell me that things
were in an uproar. I recently had finished up a few bounties, some of the lower military officials knew who I was. The rangers sometimes asked me for help with scouting stuff. This time however, I heard news of towns being ravaged. I thought about what to do. I decided that I'd need to do something about my armor if I was going to go anywhere. I started heading back to the city. Tarlonel had lots of areas, I started wandering in the poorer areas and moved to the markets.

In the markets, I finally found an armorer's stall. After hagling over the price of the new fine mithral chainmail armor that I would have, and how much it would be after trading it in, I finally exchanged the gold. It took a long while, to get it fit to me, and between the haggling and the fitting, I had already lost more than half the day. The sun was directly above by now. I decided to head over to look up some friends from school. Heading over to one of the barracks nearby, I stepped in, and some of the people told me I should leave but I told them I was there to see Lamruil. They looked me up and down and I looked back at them, coldly. They backed off and I was there waiting for my old friend. Lamruil came over and we ended up talking for a bit, I found out that the war was going bad. He told me I should sign up, that they could use someone like me out on the front lines. I told him, my biggest contribution would only be the fact that I was could be a scout that could blast back at any attacking mages. He laughed and went in back and came back with a book. I nodded and thanked him, I told him I was going to go see what they could use me for.

As I walked out, I thought about how I wanted to travel, but I also knew that if our great civilization fell, there would be no point to travelling, my little brothers and sisters would have no home. I wrote off a quick letter to my parents, telling them that I was going to offer my services in protection of our country.

I dropped it off at the distribution site and walked over to the ranger barracks. I stepped inside, not too sure what to expect.

 

[cats]

Valarie

IC: Standing in the yard infront of my lair I did a few simple geastures and invoked a spell. To those around me I was simply gone, but for me my vision simply blurred for a mere moment as I instantly reached the desired spot of Eliorne.

I walked over to the local gaurds, who had dispersed themselves through out the place in a hectic manner. I displayed my signet ring and inquired about the details of the murder. After listening to the story I asked a simple question, "So his wife saw the killer?" He nodded. 'Yes she did, would you like the description she gave?' "No, just direct me to her." I fallowed behind him to the wife.

The human girl was obviously a trophy for the general. I supose if you are out on the battle field or in forts all the time, you might as well have a trophy wife. "So you saw your husbands killer?" She paused for a great while. 'Yes, yes I did. But, I already described her to the gaurds.' Well she talks well enough for an object, I supose that is why the general had stayed with her despite her ageing face.

"You're being foolish, if I wanted the descirption I would of asked the gaurds for it." I stared at the crows feet, readily visble next to her eyes. "Let me explain the gaurds have the task of makeing it dificult for the assain to escape. I have the task of killing the assain. Do you understand the difrence?" 'Yes I think I do.' The woman clearly did not understand what I ment. "Good, then I jsut need you to remain calm for a moment." I geastured a few times while saying a few complex draconic phrases no longer used by dragon kind. I then placed my hand on her fore head, and in minutes I knew not only what the killer looked like, but what the killer sounded like and even what it was like for the killer to kiss me. "Thank you."

Just as well the general was dead. This woman was past her prime and had little reason to still be attending aristrocratic parties. I uttered an achient elvish word for bird, and flew out the window the killer had broken hours earlier. I then did a few geastures and I could clearly see the tracks of the fleeing assain, this strategy wouldn't work when her foot steps reached a paved street but as long as she moved threw woods and grasslands I could track her now.

 

[Screech]

A few hours had gone past, and Cecil had completed three of his commissions for the day - two revolvers and a hunting rifle. He had the papers with each item, waiting for the commissioners to return and pay for the work. Chances were that these were going to the front, and be used against the armies of Garothos. But that didn't bother Cecil. He just lived to tinker and work. But, the fact that he kept getting comissions surely meant that his work was of good enough quality.

Setting down his tools, and leaving his leather work-clothes on a stool, he once again donned his suit and smoking jacket, and made his way to through the hustle and bustle of the smokey streets toward the chambers of the Grand Creator. There were supprisingly few others lined up outside. Probably about 30 gnomes, and a scattering of other races. Looked like most of the others were either too concerned about the war, or too wrapped up in their work.

Eventually, however, the chamber door opened, and everyone flooded inside to put there names down. As he put his own down, Cecil scanned the other names. Not many that he recognised, but there were the names of Gipnis Bandersnatch and 'Jolly' Reemia Coppertop, two of the city's best negotiators. Perhaps the Grand Creator was hoping to forge a stronger alliance between the Gnomes and the Dwarves? Cecil didn't know for sure, and guessing didn't help. He'd just have to wait until the following day for the start of the journey before he could find out

 

[Morgoth]

Ara'Vilar

The barracks were in a state of chaos - the normal order attributed to the finely tuned machine known as the Elven military apparently held no sway here. Elves ran about, taking as many loose weapons as they could. Fights broke out every few moments when two Elves would seize the same weapon. Several harried, tired-looking sergeants attempted to restore some semblance of order, but their efforts were in vain as the soldiers and rangers attempted to grab the best gear they could for what was sure to be the coming battle.

One of the sergeants spotted Ara'Vilar standing in the doorway, and wandered over to him slowly, cautiously. "Yes, citizen? What can I help you with?"

Once Ara'Vilar had explained his situation, the sergeant slowly nodded. "Yes, we could use all able-bodied men. We can't bring you into the fold here, though. The damn convoluted bureaucracy requires you to register at the bleeding castle!"

A loud clang drowned out all noise for a moment as one of the soldiers ripped an enormous gong from where it hung on the wall. "Oh Gods! That's a relic from the Fourth Age!" roared the sergeant, rushing into the fray and raining blows down on the suddenly apologetic Elf.

 

[cats]

Valarie

IC: It was about 1:45 am, I was confident that I was gaining on my prey. The target was traveling along the ground and had to worry about being seen and heard. I on the other hand had no such fears and traveled by air giving me a distinct advantage in speed.

Up ahead was a road block, a defense this kingdom is capable of producing extremely fast due to use the telegraph. With some luck the black would slow down the target, but it was doubtful it could stop her. She seemed to be the confident sort, more then willing to expose herself for a kiss, so a hastily made road block shouldn't be much of a challenge unless her confidence is unfounded.

The tracks seemed to converge on one point around a tree before departing again. I landed to investigate. Okay she stood behind this tree and then flipped to the other side. I bent down to investigate the ground, ground damp with blood. Hmm perhaps she killed a guard here. I took a minute to investigate the ground for tracks, I wasn't a ranger or some one commonly found outdoors so it took me a few minutes to piece together where the tracks led me. I found the dead body of a guard. The body was naked meaning she took the armor with her. Dumb guards probably didn't even notice the blood on it. I briefly considered reanimating the corpse of the guard as a zombie and sending it to attack the foolish guards, the equivalent of a practical joke for a lich such as I, but Ustel seldom found such acts funny. I reached into the bag at my side and pulled out a spare shirt. I reached the corner and tore off a piece of the cloth and returned the rest to the bag. I then wiped the rag across the slit throat of the body, letting it stain the white fabric red. I then put the cloth into the extrademensional pocket of my bag.

She is fairly clever, so I doubt her confidence is totally unfounded. I pulled the map from my scroll case and took a brief look. "She is trying to leave the country by ship, not an entirely foolish move. If she makes it onto a ship, she'll be much harder to track. Perhaps I get lucky and she plans to hide out in town, since she no dubt knows the guard will be checking the ports." I took to the air once more and fallowed the tracks that magical glowed to me eyes.

It wasn't long before she hit the paved roads of town, the point at which there was no sunken footprints for my spell to outline. "I wonder if she is on a ship yet. Or I suppose the more important question is if she still is wearing that stolen uniform." I uttered a few phrases and raised my hand in front of me, the open palm facing upward about breast height. From an elderich glow formed a leather loop, fallowed by a leather strap that grew downward ending in the collar of what grew into a bloodhound. I reached into my bag and pulled out the blood stained torn cloth. I held it in front of the blood hound for it to sniff, once it had the sent it led me into town.

We finally stopped in an alley. The dog sniffed the ground a bit before turning its nose to the air and taking deep breaths. I waited impatiently for the dog to understand what had happened. The dog then moved over to a pile of trash and dug out the armor of the dead guard. "Damn." I snapped my figures and instantly the dog was gone.

I said a few draconic words and touched my closed eyes. I opened them now seeing into buildings and behind objects. I looked about searching for the target or another clue. Not finding anything I swore in draconic.

"Now the chase slows. Enjoy your faint lead, because you won't escape." I returned to the air and traveled to the harbor office. I landed and stepped inside. Finding the secretary I displayed the signet ring. "I demand to see the logs, and make it quick." The secretary was old and slow despite her best efforts. "I do not have long, and I need to know what ships have left recently or will leave soon." She quickly handed me the logs and opened them today apologizing for her slow speed. I quickly limited the possible escape vessels to four. I was gambling that she was going to leave the town, and that she was doing it on legitimate ship and not a secret raft.

 

[sodalitas]

Vetch

Vetch roused himself from his uneasy slumber. The activities of the previous day had taken their toll on his body, evident from his general fatigue and headache. Even so, having fed and replaced his lost blood from that of his prey restored enough of his energy that he felt he might make it through his current situation after all. Holvidrien would have to wait a while longer to judge him, he pledged.

The rain had stopped, and he was too close to the carcass. He wasn't sure what other animals were in the area but the smell of the meat would be enough to attract anything in the vicinity now that the weather was no longer masking the smell. He had a good deal of the creature's blood on his clothes, hands and face, too, so went off in search of a puddle large enough to clean himself off in.

It didn't take long, and as he drank and then started to clean the blood away, he began to think, to take stock of his situation and his options.

His horde has crossed to Telkor over water, landing in secret and patrolling the coast. Vetch had no notion of military tactics, so the reason was lost on him. Did the gnomes realize they had come? Was there some alliance in place? He didn't think so. Were they enemies? He didn't believe that either. Perhaps they had merely learned that there was a contingent of Garothos' men in the area and went looking for them. He shook his head. Bah, it wasn't worth trying to figure it out. It didn't matter why he was here. He was a soldier, time to act like one. Survial. Pragmatism. Opportunity. That's what he should focus on.

His horde had been routed, he had no faith that they would still be at the landing site. Those that had made it there probably left, and sank anything they weren't using in order to prevent pursuit. He had no knowledge of the continent or the location of any towns, and didn't relish the thought of traversing the hills and mountains at random.

That left making his way along the coast until he found a coastal city or town. Chances were good there were plenty of those, most cities were on a body of water. From there, secure passage by ship. He had no money, having lost it all to that stubby-faced Rhiv on a game of dice (by the Pantheon that demon was lucky!), but trading services for passage was an option. Or gathering coin by force. He'd figure that out as he went.

He stood up to get his bearings. There was a natural path of sorts leading down to the south east, which should take him in the direction of the coast, so he began the descent. It was morning, meaning the sun was more in front of him then behind - not ideal but couldn't be helped. At least if he came across anyone he would have the advantage of higher terrain. And he had one other advantage, too. If there was anything a soldier was good at, it was a forced march. Well, it was killing. And then probably gambling. But followed closely by a good forced march.

He settled into a rhythm and began the journey.

 

[Devilgrl]

Ereal didn't know she was being followed. She was just trying to ditch the guards. As the ship for the port was about to leave for the port right before the Uldergrath desert a winged thing came running up.

"Wait stop the ship" it said. Just as the sails were bing raised. "I am looking for this women or should I say demon" it pulled out a poster. *OH BULLF$@K* Ereal thought as she ran for the ships edge.

"Wait there she goes" a women called out as Ereal started to dive off the side of the ship.

*Okay plan ummm wait her demons can hold there breath for longer than most races maybe I can wait her out...no it's a lich that thing will find me if I wait...and many people would notice me now since my picture was shown...Maybe I could take it out...yes ok thats the best course guards are slow they won't be here in time* at that Ereal swam to the other side of the ship. She Crawled up as fast as she could. Some poeple noticed and started shouting. But the thing was still in the place it was when it shouted to the captain right by the edge.

Ereal grabbed it and pulled it off the side of the boat with her. "Your an Air creature" she whispered in it looked like her ear as they fell we are going to the water!"

 

[RoneLith]

Lord Uchantus

Calmly he walked through the halls of Ustivel's compound, as a gesture of kindness he left Reen and Rend outside to await his return. It would show his Lord General that he meant no harm and he was bound by his honor to do so.

He walked calmly, thinking little as he made his way to The Lord General's office. Though he wanted power for himself he knew Ustivel was a good and kind ruler, as he is with his own house and over throwing Ustivel would be very unpopular and would likely end in rebellion against him. However it would not mean he would not attempt to cease power should Ustivel fall in this struggle against Garathos.

Garathos, the main reason he now stood in front of the door that led to Ustivel. Someone who had broken the bonds of mortality and now raged war against those that live life with a more grandios purpose than what must be an empty and lonely life for him now. He would see Garathos dead, granting him the gift of mortality. Who wants too live forever, he thought to himself just before opening the door. "Foolish," he kept his voice to himself as he opened the door. He would serve by not serveing.