Xanth--The Call

[Ambrosious]

Knocking around in the dark room, Bismuth fretted again about what he was supposed to be doing. He couldn’t quite remember what it was exactly. Oh well, it would come to him. It always did. Bismuth waved his arms frantically for about 20 seconds and a warm glow settled upon the room. He didn’t have to wave his arms like that, he just thought it made for better dramatics. The cats always enjoyed it. He poured himself a nice warm glass of heating oil and grabbed a chunk of coal to nibble on. He sat down at the long banquet table wearing nothing but a few feathers taped under each arm. It had felt right to him at the moment.

Without a thought to the danger to his insides, Bismuth gulped a big draught of the heating oil. It went down smoothly and in short order he belched up a tiny flame that singed his mustache. Thinking it was some magic trick gone awry Bismuth dismissed it and started nibbling a piece of coal. After one bite, he looked down to see what he had just eaten. He stared at the coal for a long time, shrugged, and started eating again. “My cooking has definitely improved,” he thought.

Suddenly it came to him. Like lightning tearing apart a rain filled night sky, the thought ripped through his brain. He must make the call. And quickly, while he was still coherent. Gathering himself up, and wondering why he was attired in feathers, Bismuth sat to work. He canted and he ranted. He raved, gesticulated, and made strange sounds. The wind howled and moaned through his little house, and the very foundation rocked as the power gathered there. The old wizard worked his magics and when he felt the time was right, he put to words the call.

“Come to me now hero’s of old
Come to me now the meek and the bold
Come to me, help me free innocents lost
Come to me now, and at any cost”

He released the chant and it grew louder as it circled the room, carried by the wind. It continued to rise in timbre and pitch until the walls were once again shaking in the old man’s house. “Let it find those needed for the task,” thought he as he set the wind free. It scattered all around and about, this magical wind. Bismuth hoped that it would be strong enough to reach every one. The danger of this spell was that it dissipated with distance. If the ones needed were too far away, they would hear but a whisper, if they heard anything at all. What about you? Did you hear the call?


[Edited by Ambrosious on 11-12-2000 at 01:40 PM]

 

[intriguess]

sandy/angelica

Sandy

she was following a thin stream when she heard it, like a whistle on the wind it beckoned her. She found herself irresistable drawn, nearly forgetting her quest for a home. She travelled as fast as she could. Taking small pouch of sand and sprinkling it on her feet, the quick sand helping speed her on her way, her body a white blur as she raced to the source of call.


Angelica

She was resting curled up in her nest, rejected by other winged beings for being too human, rejected by harpy's for being too polite and human, rejected by humans because of her ability to fly. She ignored the call for as long as she could then it was insistent like insect buzzing around her head. She rose from nest and with a leap soared on breezes towards source, annoyed that someone had disturbed her self imposed solitude.

While she was result of a love spring match she herself had steered clear of them. The adult conspiracy had been revealed to her only recently as she reached human age of 19.

[Edited by Ravenloft on 11-25-2000 at 09:57 AM]

 

[Ravenloft]

Robert Sith:

Walking along a well worn path Robert scanned the area before him cooly. He was only 18 and not at all wise but he had seen how the elderly wizards had acted, the ones that wern't senile that is... He did his best to imitate them. And for the most part he did a band up job, except for one thing... No, it wasn't his talent, his talent was perfectly fine, it was his lack of skill... And nothing but time would help him control that. But he could sure act like he knew what he was doing.

The call from bismuth struck him. He knew lo Bismuth from one of the wizards parties he had snuck into when he was younger. And as a side note, when you get a bunch of old wizards together... Boy howdey! Look out! Nothings sacred, not even the adult conspiracy. Robert had almost, ALMOST been the first to uncover those secrets before the propper time. But... Ah well, the old sod called to Robert and others. So, as it was part of the requirments to be invited to the wizard parties Robert set off for Bismuth's place.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

*Roland was Juggling Playing cards expertly when the call hit him like a sack of potatos, He didnt drop the cards but he stopped juggling them as his eyes stared off into the distance, at Age 17, Three days from now would be his birthday, and he had every intention of finally Breaking up that fool adult conspiricy, they had played him as a lad and it was time To Shove it in their faces, he had every look of a man of 21 years of age, But his eyes were more shifty and crafty than most, a bit of information on his....Unique Talents. He paused for a moment, wondering how to get into a womans pants...Or more specificly, her panties..Before he was an offical adult, He could finally stick it to em, and he would LOVE it, Thats just the way he was* STICK IT TO THE MAN! *he laughed and continued juggling his cards, he Was only a few miles out, Counting his Gold Peices and Cards, he
chuckled slyly to himself, Passing not much more than some crabgrass, that had
migrated here from the shore, it made for a tasty meal, provided one had enough
buttercups around, not to mention firewood,*" Well It seems someone needs my...Unique
Talents...Hm, I wonder who'll be here." *he grinned and headed straight in the
direction of the castle, wondering who he would run into this time around, after
that little incident with Nada Naga, And the Ass-O-Nine-Tales, he was slightly
bored with life, Not much to do around the towns, not with the Black waves and
all, but he Figured this could make up for that, Whistling an old tune he picked
up from a friend of his, walked across one of the Rolling Plains,
making sure not to slip on the constantly moving ground*
(PUNS! PUNS! THERE ARE TOO MANY PUNS!!!!!)


[Edited by Roland Gilliad on 11-13-2000 at 03:55 AM]

 

[Angelus]

Cristian Cofaldeon:

As Cristian blocked the blow of his opponents sword he heard something faint in the back of his mind. What is that he thought trying to concentrate on his opponent. The call then got stronger and hit him with a force that caused him to become distracted and offered an opening to the large man which he took and swung his sword down with such a force that it knocked Cristian down to the ground and caused a loud bang as it hit his armor. As soon as he hit the ground he looked up at the man who had a smile on his face and his eyes narrowed. He got up quickly and smashed his fist straight into the man's nose, shattering it. The man fell to the ground and dropped his sword but Cristian looked at the man with a look of pure hatred as he walked forward, his sword singing in his head as he did. He raised the gleaming sword over his head and was about to strike down at the man but before he could his wife appeared and put her body over his. She looked up at Cristian and said, "Please sir knight, don't kill this man. He is sorry for what he said to you."
Cristian looked at the woman and was about to plunge his sword into her until the call hit him again, knocking him out of his rage. He turned and walked in the direction of the call, I will kill the person who is doing this he thought as the sun hit his armor.

[Edited by Angelius on 11-12-2000 at 09:46 PM]

 

[Silverlily]

Lisarianne:

"Damn, where is that grimoire?" Lisarianne muttered to herself, she had been searching the library for hours. The annoying buzzing sound in her ears wasn't helping any. She sat down in her chair, stumped. The momentary silence made the buzzing all the more conspicuous. As she concentrated to make it go away, it clarified into a distinct message, "Come, now." Cursing herself for not listening sooner, she decided there was no time for conventional travel. Tossing a few things in a light rucksack, she bowed her head and focused. Moments later, flexing her wings to get the feel of them, she took the sack in her peak and took off through the window. The shadow of a falcon was all she left behind.

Glory:

The morning sun dappled the forest floor with shadows. Darting from one to the other, Glory was playing keep away from her shadow twin. Her giggles were abruptly halted by a firm command, ordering her to gather at the house of the old Wizard. She wasn't sure why she was going, but she knew she had to go now. Fortunately, she was very nearby. Spying a housecat, she called it. "Please tell my family I'll be busy for, um, I don't know how long. Just tell them not to worry." Giving the cat a scritch behind the ears, she set off for the house.


[Edited by Ravenloft on 11-25-2000 at 09:58 AM]

 

[intriguess]

angelica/sandy

Angelica

She stopped to rest in tree top outside the gloomy castle. Then again she supposed all castles were gloomy at night. She flexed her body eying the sharp talon like finger nails before curling up to rest for the night.

Sandy

she sped along her head spinning and before she knew it she was there, midday sun beating down on her. She paused to cool her feet off in a stream. She pulled out a sand which and ate. Wondering if she should cross alone or wait for someone else.

 

[Ambrosious]

Sir Pansy Petunia sat at the side of a hill, contemplating the petals on a wildflower when the call came. He knew instantly what the call meant and whom it was from. The one thing he didn’t know was where to go. He had no idea of where he was at the present. Sir Petunia had wondered into this field days ago and had not found his way out. He sauntered over to a breadfruit tree and ate his fill. It was a shame there was no Gravy train around. Gravy would be perfect right about now.

Sir Petunia lay in the field resting on a pillow of cotton that grew wild on a hillside and tried to nap. The buzzing from the call that Bismuth had issued had other ideas for him this fine afternoon. He stood with a groan and reached for his armor. Without thinking, he touched his breastplate with his bare hands. A huge rust spot immediately appeared where he had touched the metal.

“Dang!” thought Petunia as he took out a polishing cloth from his back pocket. He was still getting used to the gift Bismuth had bestowed upon him his last quest. He had wanted a spell to help him defeat enemy knights and Bismuth had given him the ability to rust metals. Sometimes it could be darn inconvenient. As he sat himself to polish the breastplate with a gloved hand, Petunia remembered his former life as caretaker of Bismuth’s estate. He had been called Polly Esther and walked the world as a female. He still had no idea how he had become a male knight always on the pursuit of quests and such, but he suspected Bismuth was behind it.

In the distance, Petunia heard the lonesome whistle of the Gravy train.

“Of course!” he exclaimed as he hurried putting on his armor. When the train passed by, he must be ready. Ready to ride the rails to the old man’s castle.

 

[Angelus]

Cristian was more than a little angry, the call was driving him nearly insane. All he wanted to do was find the person that was calling him and stop him, preferably for good. His sword was also singing in his head, it needed one thing but he couldn't pick anything up to make it's need go away. As he walked towards a clearing in the light forest he heard voices in front of him and slowly slid his sword from its sheath. He walked as quietly as he could towards the voices and with every step cursed his armor, when he came out of the clearing he found himself standing behind a blue skinned human who was eating an icicle and placed his sword quickly to his throat.
"Now, what are you two doing here," he said to the blue skinned man.
"Hi - my name is Sandy and that person is Ether, I think that we are waiting for you so that-"
"Shut up! I wasn't speaking to you. I was talking to him." Cristian pulled back on the blue skin man, Ether's head and brought his sword closer to his throat.
"I- we are hear because we heard a call and answered it."
"Are you the one that has been calling me. If so I should kill you now as it has been driving me mad."

Sandy's eyes widened surely he can't be one of our group she thought. She then stood and the knight's head turned to look at her.
"You had better sit back down or I will kill your friend."
"You can not, you have been called so you are part of our group," Sandy said as she walked closer to him.
The knight's eyes widened when she said that and his sword came away from Ether's throat.

[Edited by Angelius on 11-13-2000 at 10:04 PM]

 

[Silverlily]

Lisarianne alighted on a branch. Below her was a small group of people, a woman, a blue-skinned male, and a rather hostile looking man in armor. Dropping to the ground a short distance away, she regained her human form. Straightening her lavender gown and periwinkle cloak, she dipped her head in greeting. "Hello, my name is Lisarianne. I assume we are all gathered for the same reason. That, or I've just crashed a party," she grinned. Looking at the hostile human, she added, "Point that thing at me and I'll turn into a Lamia and eat you. Speaking of eating, fruit anyone?" She sat down on the bank and proceeded to eat a bunch of grapes.

Something in the brush had found her Lamia comment funny, for the sound of laughter came from the grasses. Before any of them could react, a head covered in green hair popped up. "Sorry, I find most things funny." The odd-looking girl screwed up her face trying to appear serious, "Sometimes even things that are not. My name is, well just call me Glory, everyone else does. I'm here 'cause someone called me," lowering her voice, she whispered, "it was the Wizard, I know it was. Sorry, I'm babbling. My mother says I babble all the time." In a gruff voice she continued, "How come that girl can't be silent for two minutes, can't even hear myself think." In a more normal voice, "That's what my grandfather says." Everyone just stared at her. With a sheepish grin, she sat down and chewed on her bottom lip.

 

[Ravenloft]

Robert Sith:

Walking purposfully out along the forest path that carried him here Sith looked at the quickly assembling party. He stood with them in silence as he observed the odd little girl set and start chewing on her lip. If there was one thing old crotchety wizards couldn't resist it was a pretty young girl. And as it was part of his act of being an old crotchety wizard, Robert began to drool... Not many knew of this aspect of wizardly matters because most of the old wizards drooled in the comforts of their own towers...

 

[Ambrosious]

Bismuth had remained coherent for far longer than he had in quite awhile. He could see the party growing at the base of the castle. Nobody was approaching the door though. Dangit! He had made the call quite specific. Maybe they were intimidated. Yeah, that was it, they were intimidated! Maybe Bismuth could do something about that. He went to the fireplace and placed his hands on a needlework above the mantle. It read "A MANS HOME IS HIS CASTLE." He shood the needlepoint back and forth and the wording faded out and a new phrase faded in. The needle point now read "HOME SWEET HOME."

The spell took effect immediatly. The brick and mortar was replaced by well worn wood. The moat suddenly became a well manicured path, leading up to a pristine garden (formerly the courtyard). The sun came out, even thought it was well past midnight. Finally, the dragon that protected the castle was turned into a big fluffy dog. This always peed off the dragon, but need neccessitates. Bismuth layed out coal biscuits and heating oil, enough for everyone. He finished off the spell by waving his arm frantically about the room for a few minutes. A song started to play as he finished his waving.

<It's a small world after all...It's a small world after all.>

 

[Silverlily]

Lisarianne lifted her head as an odd sound filled the air. It was a tortured sound, like the sound of people being forced to endure some cruel affliction. Cautiously, she moved closer until she was close enough to make out the words, "It's a small world after all…" She winced, it was music. But now she was near enough to the castle that she could see it was no longer one. Sunlight, which was odd, everywhere else was still dark, was dancing on the nodding heads of the garden flowers. A large, fluffy dog bounded up to her and licked her face. Even stranger, she was sure the dog smelled of brimstone and maidens.

Turning to her companions, she called out, "It appears we are to enter." Without waiting, she opened the brightly painted front door and went inside. An older gentleman stood before her wearing nothing but a few feathers. She had been warned wizards were odd, but the was more than she expected. Blushing furiously, she managed to speak. "I am Lisarianne, you called?"

 

[Roland Gilliad]

*Pushing the window open*
Say What happened here? I think A Martha Stuart Tornado Passed through here! *he laughed and jumped through the window with ease, Landing inside* Hiya All! I Got called For some Odd Reason! I wonder Why! *He Immedatly strolled about the place, making note of everything, Waving to the wizard and bowing politely, and pickpocketing anything small everyone had in thier pockets, Except the wizard, An Old Saying He heard "Dont meddle in the affairs of Wizards! For they are Strange and Quick To Temper!" He decided to take that to heart, as he Munched on a coal bisciut and leaned against the wall* SO! Whats This all About? And Why Did You Call Ol Rolando Gilliad, Or Did you need someone with INTELLEGENCE In this Little Party of yours? *he grinned widely*

 

[Moneytalks]

Tainted...

... opened the door to her shack and squinted into the horizon as if listening to some silent call. The squinting helped make her face look a tad less repulsive than normal. Her limp brown hair and beady eyes where not what one considered a stunning combination. Her figure was compact and efficient enough for the hard work of keeping her gardens in glorious condition.

Perhaps it added to her plain ugliness that she surrounded herself in such spleandor. Then again perhaps not. People didn't visit her lonely abode... the stories had travelled... a fearfully ugly creature lived in the mountains surrounded by spleandor. No man entered for fear of his life. If only they knew what they really needed to fear.

Tainted sniffed the air and huffed in an annoyed manner. She muttered a curse under her breath and whistled sharply. A small boy scampered forward from around the house. He didn't look directly at her. "Yes'm?"
"I've got to go on a journey... just heard the damn call... I'm leaving you in charge of the gardens."
At this the boy gulped in dismay and his eyes darted up to look a the woman's face. He shrieked and looked quickly down again. "... b.. but mem.. I canna..." he moaned. Looking around at the perfect rose bushes and lavender and honeysuckle. Nothing that grew here could possibly survive the harsh mountain conditions and yet they thrived.
"Stop blubbering ya foolish imp... I've gotter go and that's it... you do ya best ya hear?"
He gulped again and nodded folornly.
"Augustus will help ye... just keep tellin' the garden I'll be back... they shouldn't be too much trouble... don't forget to sprinkle the potions I've made... they're clearly labelled..."
With that she smiled at the boy and twitched her nose. He sighed suddenly... a big beaming smile spreading across his features. He gazed at her in wonderous awe.
"Yes'm!" He said with surprising gusto.
"Good boy..." He beamed even wider at this compliment and trotted into the house to check on the potions. She could hear him ordering Augustus around as he worked in a frenzy of inefficiency. She sighed and shrugged before shouldering her satchel and trotting off towards the sound of the call.

[Edited by Moneytalks on 11-14-2000 at 04:29 PM]

 

[intriguess]

sandy angelica

Sandy

She entered the odd looking place with the group feeling slightly out of place within the polished walls. She remained silent checking out her fellow travellers. Mostly young, and that Glory girl, far too young to be useful....or was she? everyone's talents were needed otherwise they wouldn't be here. He obviously knew what he was doing when he called them.....Didn't he?


Angelica

She awoke next day seeing a cozy home where a castle had once stood. She stretched and leapt from the tree and felt as if other's had already entered the place. Smoke was billowing from the chimney.

[Edited by Ravenloft on 11-25-2000 at 10:03 AM]

 

[Moneytalks]

Tainted...

... hesitated as she approached Bismuth's castle... errr... house...

"Stupid dottering ol' fool..." she muttered shaking her head as she strode onwards. Reaching the big fluffy dog she patted it's head and gave it a nod of understanding. "Ya poor thing... what's he done t'ya hey?" The dog growled mournfully.

"Bismuth!" She yelled as she strode into the house looking around. She rolled her eyes at the coal laid out like appetisers. "What the hell did ya call me all this way for... and what the heck did you do to the dragon?"

She dumped her satchel unceremoniously onto a chair that probably wasn't. She glanced outside at the gathering crowd. "Didn't you put any limitations on your call? Geez... look at 'em all!" She shook her head again.
"Damn better be a ruddy good reason for making me drag my bones halfway across the continent." She scowled adding a new dimension to the word ugliness.

 

[Ravenloft]

ComPewter:

For years ComPewter had been working to weave an InterNet. (Kinda a hard thing to do without hands you know...) but finally he had finished. He had been thwarted so many times in the past, but now he would make a com-back.


[Edited by Ravenloft on 11-23-2000 at 06:03 PM]

 

[Ravenloft]

Robert Sith:

It took Robert some time to regain his wizardly composure after... Well you know... He walked into Bismuth's castle/house. and smiled to him. "Bismuth, you old senile bat! How do you do!?" He shouted as though he and B had been old buddies all their lives when really they had only ever seen each other maybe once or twice at a wizards party or two. And usually as Robert was being dragged out...

 

[Silverlily]

Glory followed the others into the house. She was more than a little afraid of Bismuth; she had been warned as a small child to never have an affair with a Wizard, or something like that. And now there was not only one wizard, but two and the other had been staring at her. He was different though, he had almost seemed nice. Standing there in this room full of people she didn't know talking about things she didn't understand, she was silent for once. Trying not fidget, she twisted the front of her dress, making a wrinkled mess of the thing. There were refreshments set out on the table, but when she got closed enough, she saw the biscuits were actually coal and some of these people were eating them. Ugh, this was too much for her. Glory crawled under a nearby table and was quickly joined by Bismuth's cats. In no time, they were laughing over tales of stupid dogs and silly mice.

 

[Angelus]

Cristian sat down at the table, away from anyone else and thought what have I done to get stuck with this bunch, all I want to do is find out what this senile old fool Bismuth wants and then get out of here
One of the group walked up to him and said, "Hi, I'm-"
Cristian looked at her and said, "I don't care who you are, I just want to find out what I am doing here."
Ether stood up and said, "There is no need to be rude to a woman. I should knock you down where you stand."
"You are welcome to try," Cristian said as he stood up and pulled his sword from its scabbard.
He walked slowly towards Ether as he stood just as a force which stopped him cold and a young man, obviously the wizard who had put the spell on him. He walked over to Cristian and looked at him with a smile which made Cristian all the more angrier.
"Hello, my name is Robert Sith and I doubt if Bismuth would like anyone fighting in his home. Now if I take away your sword and let you go will you promise to sit down and keep quiet."
Wizards- they are all idiots Cristian thought. With a grin on his face that nobody could see because of his helmet he said, "I wouldn't take the sword if I were you but if want to let me go that is fine by me because the first thing that I'll do is kill you with by bare hands and I will make it nice and painful."
Robert wasn't frightened by this which made Cristian grin wider and placed his hand on the hilt of Cristian's sword, taking it away from his hand. As soon as the sword left Cristian's hand a bolt of energy shot up Robert's arm which caused him to drop the sword and stumble backwards. As soon as the energy hit Robert the first thing that it did was release Cristian who calmly walked over to his sword and picked it up. He then walked over to where Robert stood, kicked him so hard that he went flying off his feet and onto the floor.

The next thing that Robert saw when he opened his eyes was Cristian standing over him, his sword pointed straight at his throat. He then saw everyone starting to move to save him until Cristian said, "If anyone tries to save him I will kill him. Do you understand. Now, where is that blasted senile old wizard Bismuth."

 

[Ravenloft]

Robert Sith:

With the perfect imitation of an old wizardly scowl (that he often practiced in, of all things, a magic mirror) Robert Sith said. "You won't get many friends that way young star..." Giving an attempt to stand only to be pushed back down with one of this fools clod hoppers Sith's mustache bristled. "Merciful heavens you oafish barbarian! We all know you have a big *word forbidden by the adult conspiracy*, so you may let up now..." A smirk crawled onto Roberts lips before he could brush it away, knowing that the girls must all have a rather pretty blush to their cheeks now.

[Edited by Ravenloft on 11-25-2000 at 10:04 AM]

 

[Silverlily]

Lisarianne:

Lisarianne watch the entire display unimpressed. Good Lords, what on earth were they to do with such a brute. Silently, she readied a spell. If the armored man did not back off of the wizard, with a word she would turn him into a butterfly. She smirked, there were cats about who would undoubtedly enjoy the chase.


Glory:

From her spot under the table, Glory could see everything. When the wizard said what he did about the man's, well, you know what, she could barely contain her giggles. Maybe wizards weren't so bad after all.

 

[Angelus]

Suddenly Cristian laughed, a sound so unexpected that it shocked everyone. He then slid his sword back into its sheath and put his hand out, pulling Robert up to his feet.
He then placed his hand onto the young wizard's shoulder and said, "Now that was funny. I guess that we can be friends."

He then turned to the rest of the group and said, "Sorry if I have been so grumpy but I have had this blasted wizard Bismuth blasting my brains apart and I'm still a little grumpy. I don't blame you if you don't trust me - I wouldn't."
Cristian then took his helmet off and let out a puff of air.

 

[Ravenloft]

Robert Sith:

Brushing his black silk cloak off after Cristian helped him to his feet Robert caught sight of Glory sniggering under a table. He patted Chistian on the back. "Ah, its all right lad. Just remember to point that thing at the enemy next time... Or... A willing la*Don't even try it!*" He wiggled his furry eyebrows at Glory then.