Gharlamaal watches...
Mortan stumbled down the street, in as fast a run as he could manage, away from the advancing menace behind him.
The black cloth over his scythe long fallen and discarded in his escape, the blinking eye of Seld-Olthasar fell upon the sets of Servitours Arcanus getting ever closer behind him.
"...Right does not mean Good..."
The gnome almost tripped on his robes and landed face-first on the ground at the shock of the invading voice in his head.
"Little *huff* busy right now *huff*, friend."
Mortan dodged to the left as a sword glanced across his right shoulder, marking him red once again. Mortan used the power of the magical artifact at his fingertip and directed a stream of energy at the offending Servitour. He lost not a single footstep as the guard became rigid and froze in place, his compatriots running past him slowing only slightly at the gagging effect the Ghoul's Touch spell created.
Another small victory, but his energies were beginning to run short as was his stamina, and the damn troops showed no signs of slowing as he continued his dead run through the streets of Andisine.
"...Wrong does not mean Evil..."
Mortan was only half-conscious as his shadows swooped in to defend him, draining bits of strength from the guards before becoming the victims of enchanted blades. The necromancer snapped an enchanted bone on a pile of rat corpses as he ducked down an alleyway, letting them loose behind him.
"...Mortan seeks to restore a balance that Mortan does not know, and cannot, while Mortan is unbalanced oneself. Mortan has forgotten one's own path while judging the paths of others too quickly. Mortan has chosen correctly in incorrect ways. Trails of black and white lay where there should only be gray. Mortan must remember..."
The gnome suddenly stopped dead in his tracks as he turned a corner and found himself in front of an ironically named dead end. The guards had slowed their advance but continued forward with smiles on their faces and glows to their blades that didn't promise a painless death.
"...Gharlamaal watches as Mortan improves. Gharlamaal watches as Mortan declines. Gharlamaal watches the path of Mortan, twisting and turning on a road of Mortan's own making. Mortan had best be careful that one does not lose one's path, less one lose Gharlamaal..."
The Servitours Arcanus charged the necromantic heretic of Andisine.
Mortan sat bolt-upright in his generic inn bedroom, his small face flush with perspiration. Outside his window was a bright sunny day. No guards, no running, no imminent death.
...less one lose Gharlamaal...
Mortan shuddered. That would be worse than death.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
questions
Finding a lieutenant wasn’t difficult for Kade. If one was observant enough to notice the boots, one was observant enough to count the licks of flame on the toes. He should have a lot more information than the grunt he had talked to before, he might have talked directly to the man that Kade was looking for. It only took a couple of hours to track the lieutenant to the perfect spot, and now Kade had him incapacitated, ready to drag somewhere to be questioned.
“You don’t want to be doing this.” The lieutenant groaned. “I promise much pain if you don’t stop and run away right now”
Kade stopped. Looked at the man, Kade had no doubt that the man thought what he said was true, but they had no idea. Kade was one of them, trained by one of them and they wouldn’t know what…
Blackness.
***
Kade woke up, unable to move. He was tied, thoroughly. He’d been bested, and he knew this was the end. He was prepared for the torture. He was even prepared for death. What he was NOT prepared for, was what came next.
The same lieutenant they he thought he had captured walked into the room with a wide smile on his face.
“So, Mr. Kade, I trust you are comfortable?” he said mockingly. “It seems that you’ve been trying to find some information about one of our contracts. It also seems that you know a lot about us, you even carry the boots of an officer, so you should know the consequences of such actions.” The man’s smile broadened, and then it fell away. “We contacted said contract, and a very interesting thing happened. We informed him of your actions, and gave him the option for us to just kill you, or question you first. It seems he had a third option. He has paid us a large sum of money to not only keep you alive, but to transfer you to your friends, who by the way were surprisingly easy to track, they are not very good at keeping a low profile, now are they.” The man chuckled.
“Why?” asked Kade, his mind racing.
“It is not ours to ask questions of our contracts, just to do.” With that, the lieutenant pulled out a dart gun, point it at Kade. “Nighty night, lost brother”.
Darkness.
***
Kade woke up, appearantly stuffed into a box. Taking a quick inventory it appeared he had all of the gear on him that he had before the capture. He was unable to move, at all. By the feel of the cramps in his legs, he had been in here for a while. So there he waited in the darkness.
“You don’t want to be doing this.” The lieutenant groaned. “I promise much pain if you don’t stop and run away right now”
Kade stopped. Looked at the man, Kade had no doubt that the man thought what he said was true, but they had no idea. Kade was one of them, trained by one of them and they wouldn’t know what…
Blackness.
***
Kade woke up, unable to move. He was tied, thoroughly. He’d been bested, and he knew this was the end. He was prepared for the torture. He was even prepared for death. What he was NOT prepared for, was what came next.
The same lieutenant they he thought he had captured walked into the room with a wide smile on his face.
“So, Mr. Kade, I trust you are comfortable?” he said mockingly. “It seems that you’ve been trying to find some information about one of our contracts. It also seems that you know a lot about us, you even carry the boots of an officer, so you should know the consequences of such actions.” The man’s smile broadened, and then it fell away. “We contacted said contract, and a very interesting thing happened. We informed him of your actions, and gave him the option for us to just kill you, or question you first. It seems he had a third option. He has paid us a large sum of money to not only keep you alive, but to transfer you to your friends, who by the way were surprisingly easy to track, they are not very good at keeping a low profile, now are they.” The man chuckled.
“Why?” asked Kade, his mind racing.
“It is not ours to ask questions of our contracts, just to do.” With that, the lieutenant pulled out a dart gun, point it at Kade. “Nighty night, lost brother”.
Darkness.
***
Kade woke up, appearantly stuffed into a box. Taking a quick inventory it appeared he had all of the gear on him that he had before the capture. He was unable to move, at all. By the feel of the cramps in his legs, he had been in here for a while. So there he waited in the darkness.
Servitours Arcanus
-As history has shown us, the finest masters of the arcane arts come from Danmier. Their schools are superior, their supplies for such arts are more plentiful, and many believe there is something in the bloodlines of the noble families that grants a natural affinity for spell lore. Danmier has the best mages, yes. But there is a lesser spoken of talent that stems from the Silver Kingdom. An art form unlike any other I have witnessed in my years traveling the five. I speak of the elite school of warriors known as the Servitours Arcanus .
Behind every truly great silver mage, there is a warrior who protects them. All the masters of three towers have a personal warrior to defend and watch over them. Those who wish to learn magic, but cannot manifest the inner focus often resort to serving their arcane gods in the order of the ServArcas (abv). From childhood they are taught the way of the sword, the axe, the spear, the bow, and the lance. They are taught to battle magic users, learning their skills and how to use them against their enemies. Some of the elite and most select members cast spells themselves. They live for one reason. To protect their Mage.
It is not a servant and master relationship. It is like a brotherhood. The ServArcas and his designated mage, become as siblings. One cannot defy the other, and some say that they share dreams in rest.
To watch them fight as one strikes fear into the hearts of the greatest war master. With magic the spell brother grants unholy speed and strength to his sword brother, and with great precision and training the ServArcus predicts their enemies moves and lets no harm come to his spell brother. There is a reason War has not been waged on Danmier in over 900 years. There is no telling how powerful the Magi or their brothers have become. Perhaps they are simply waiting to dominate the five kingdoms in one all powerful arcane gesture. This fear lies dormant in the minds of kings and queens.
Those still in training are used as guards in the arcane cities, and when their training is complete, the ritual of pairing is held, and brother meets brother for the first time. There are female members of both orders as well, tho their numbers are much smaller. When the two have truly become as one, the spell brother sacrifices part of his very essence to forge a great item of power for his sword brother. Sometimes Armor, sometimes a deadly sword. There are few of these found, as reaching such levels of unity is still a rare occurrence. They say when this is done, the sword brothers life force becomes one with his spell brother, and wounds that would fall on the mage are inflicted instead to the ServArcus. The greatest act of brotherhood some say. If the spell brother is killed, the ServArcus has failed, and no longer has a reason to live.
They fight, live, and think as one. One cannot defy the other, and ones fate is the fate of both.-
Excerpt from "The Book of The Lesser Knowns" Article by Lord Master Bartholimue Dhvan'dar of the order of The Sacred Vale in the year of 1730 AS During the Age of Chronicles
Behind every truly great silver mage, there is a warrior who protects them. All the masters of three towers have a personal warrior to defend and watch over them. Those who wish to learn magic, but cannot manifest the inner focus often resort to serving their arcane gods in the order of the ServArcas (abv). From childhood they are taught the way of the sword, the axe, the spear, the bow, and the lance. They are taught to battle magic users, learning their skills and how to use them against their enemies. Some of the elite and most select members cast spells themselves. They live for one reason. To protect their Mage.
It is not a servant and master relationship. It is like a brotherhood. The ServArcas and his designated mage, become as siblings. One cannot defy the other, and some say that they share dreams in rest.
To watch them fight as one strikes fear into the hearts of the greatest war master. With magic the spell brother grants unholy speed and strength to his sword brother, and with great precision and training the ServArcus predicts their enemies moves and lets no harm come to his spell brother. There is a reason War has not been waged on Danmier in over 900 years. There is no telling how powerful the Magi or their brothers have become. Perhaps they are simply waiting to dominate the five kingdoms in one all powerful arcane gesture. This fear lies dormant in the minds of kings and queens.
Those still in training are used as guards in the arcane cities, and when their training is complete, the ritual of pairing is held, and brother meets brother for the first time. There are female members of both orders as well, tho their numbers are much smaller. When the two have truly become as one, the spell brother sacrifices part of his very essence to forge a great item of power for his sword brother. Sometimes Armor, sometimes a deadly sword. There are few of these found, as reaching such levels of unity is still a rare occurrence. They say when this is done, the sword brothers life force becomes one with his spell brother, and wounds that would fall on the mage are inflicted instead to the ServArcus. The greatest act of brotherhood some say. If the spell brother is killed, the ServArcus has failed, and no longer has a reason to live.
They fight, live, and think as one. One cannot defy the other, and ones fate is the fate of both.-
Excerpt from "The Book of The Lesser Knowns" Article by Lord Master Bartholimue Dhvan'dar of the order of The Sacred Vale in the year of 1730 AS During the Age of Chronicles
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Darkness rising
I was woken today by a rapping on my rooms window. At first i thought it was just the wind so i just started to drift back to sleep when the rapping got louder and louder. I looked towards the window with my eyes still heavy with sleep. All I could see was a large black mass blocking some light coming in through the window. From what had gone on the nights before and on previous excursions into the unknown I grabbed my sword from its sheath and flew to the window almost stumbling over the small foot stool and chair. After regaining my balance i flung open the window and with a fierce lurch thrust my sword up then down. I was so intent on slewing whatever it was that was causing me to waken that i closed my eyes and focused my energy on the swing. I felt my sword strike true, the feeling of my sword sinking into a hardened skin and the sound of the sizzling and popping of said skin due to the nature of my sword. I was brought back to reality by the smell of smoke and burning...wood? I opened my eyes and saw my sword sticking out of the window sill. The sill was in flames and was licking at the cloth curtains. I ran to my bed side and grabbed the basin of water and threw it upon the flames, expunging them. I looked out the window for whatever it was i thought i had stabbed. Not seeing anything or anyone i turned around only to be greeted by a large raven perched upon my small desk. Its eyes looked at me with bewilderment yet I could swear this bird had a slight grin on its face. It stuck its foot forward producing a small roll of parchment. I untied the parcel and unrolled it so delicately...
" Alibaster,
I have read into your inquiry about the shadowed figure and his cache of books and scrolls. I am sad to say that i have yet to find any books in our library that speaks of a location or whereabout of said being. Im sorry i could not be of any further assistance. I can only offer the advice of checking with master Terrilion of Andesine, their library covers much of mythical and magical lore and collections. Their library is quite sacred and coveted. I have no clue as to how you will gain entrance but if you do then best of luck to you in your journey. Remember this though, dont going chasing things that arent meant to be found it will only lead to trouble.
Yours truely,
Cedrick Le'Rou
Head Loremaster
This was not the worst new nor was it the best. I guess I will have to find this Terrilion fellow in Andesine. I may have to ask certain favors to gain acess to this library. I truely due hope that Im not chasing ghosts...
" Alibaster,
I have read into your inquiry about the shadowed figure and his cache of books and scrolls. I am sad to say that i have yet to find any books in our library that speaks of a location or whereabout of said being. Im sorry i could not be of any further assistance. I can only offer the advice of checking with master Terrilion of Andesine, their library covers much of mythical and magical lore and collections. Their library is quite sacred and coveted. I have no clue as to how you will gain entrance but if you do then best of luck to you in your journey. Remember this though, dont going chasing things that arent meant to be found it will only lead to trouble.
Yours truely,
Cedrick Le'Rou
Head Loremaster
This was not the worst new nor was it the best. I guess I will have to find this Terrilion fellow in Andesine. I may have to ask certain favors to gain acess to this library. I truely due hope that Im not chasing ghosts...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Books Books and more BooksI'
It's been awhile since ive written in my journal, with being kidnapped and all. I've also been on the trek for more books to add to my small but growing collection. I was in a local tavern whilst my companions were away on business. I had just got done playing a card game with these three brutish men. They had had quite alot to drink and started spouting off about the Harold of Ralithore. Apparently there was a man..nay... a being that had amasses such a large collection of lore and scripture. I didnt get much more from them through the slurs and snores or my passed out cohorts. I set off immediately from the Tavern to my room. I flipped through my book of lore and sure enough towards the beginning of the book it speaks of a man fathered by a demon and mothered by an angel. He was sent from the nether to document and record the lives of the people of macinar. He is cloaked in shadow, the few that have seen his face have been struck blind. They described him as being an older man with a a gaunt appearance with a small white beard. The expression on his face was that of gentle kind being, with a pleasant grin; this appearance was dissrupted by the two small horns protruding from the forehead. The witnesses were then struck blind shortly there after.
I placed my book down and placed a piece of parchment in front of me and wrote to the head librarian of the Inlakes Archives. It's said that the man in charge has books and parchments on anything and everything of importance. I sent him a request on any information regarding this matter. I await his reply until then I will go find morton and ask him if he knows anything about the so called Harold.
I placed my book down and placed a piece of parchment in front of me and wrote to the head librarian of the Inlakes Archives. It's said that the man in charge has books and parchments on anything and everything of importance. I sent him a request on any information regarding this matter. I await his reply until then I will go find morton and ask him if he knows anything about the so called Harold.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sealed Lips
"...because you see, my quiet masked friend, where I come from, the desert is full of demons. For the past few hundred years they've dominated the most hellish parts of the desert, and thrived. So when a man speaks to me in abyssal, I have to question not only his motives, but his origins. There are a few explanations for someone that speaks abyssal. He could be of a necromantic origins, or some sort of arcane summoner that has to deal with demon types often. Perhaps he is a demon himself, oh boy would that be unfortunate, though he didn't strike me as such. Perhaps he is possessed, or maybe he just knew how to communicate with me and me alone"
Kade finished his sentence and wiped the blood off of his dagger onto his lemon juice soaked kerchief. He looked directly into the eyes behind the masked man infront of him intensely.
"So i will say it one more time, I need you to tell me everything of the man who recently employed some of your guildmates and had recently taken over all of the slaver trade in the area."
The masked man looked back him with pure fire in his eyes. Blood dripped as he flexed his hand that only had a finger and a thumb left. He would not talk.
"Well, if that is your answer then brother, then there is nothing left I can do."
***
"MORTON! CAN YOU COME IN HERE?!" Kade yelled down the hall.
There was a loud thump from Morton's room as the little gnome came out with an annoyed look on his face "yes Kade? what do you need? other people have work to do as well. I was just..."
Morton's sentence cut off as he came into the room Kade had been interrogating the masked man, his feet still kicked, though it was clear from the dagger in his throat that he was quite dead.
"Morton, I need you to take care of this for me."
"Oh? Do I look like some sort of ditch digger to you, young man?"
"We all know that the dead and the death are your gig. Also, dont forget these" Kade retorted as he tossed 3 fingers to the gnome. He walked pass Morton and into the hall and over the shoulder he said "I didn't get the answers I needed. I have to go into the city and look for more. If I'm not back by the time you guys need to leave, go ahead and leave without me. I'll catch up in Danmier."
With that the man in the black cloak was gone.
Kade finished his sentence and wiped the blood off of his dagger onto his lemon juice soaked kerchief. He looked directly into the eyes behind the masked man infront of him intensely.
"So i will say it one more time, I need you to tell me everything of the man who recently employed some of your guildmates and had recently taken over all of the slaver trade in the area."
The masked man looked back him with pure fire in his eyes. Blood dripped as he flexed his hand that only had a finger and a thumb left. He would not talk.
"Well, if that is your answer then brother, then there is nothing left I can do."
***
"MORTON! CAN YOU COME IN HERE?!" Kade yelled down the hall.
There was a loud thump from Morton's room as the little gnome came out with an annoyed look on his face "yes Kade? what do you need? other people have work to do as well. I was just..."
Morton's sentence cut off as he came into the room Kade had been interrogating the masked man, his feet still kicked, though it was clear from the dagger in his throat that he was quite dead.
"Morton, I need you to take care of this for me."
"Oh? Do I look like some sort of ditch digger to you, young man?"
"We all know that the dead and the death are your gig. Also, dont forget these" Kade retorted as he tossed 3 fingers to the gnome. He walked pass Morton and into the hall and over the shoulder he said "I didn't get the answers I needed. I have to go into the city and look for more. If I'm not back by the time you guys need to leave, go ahead and leave without me. I'll catch up in Danmier."
With that the man in the black cloak was gone.
Andisine- The Standing City
Andisine, the standing city. A city divided, yet self contained.
Those who live on the upper levels, near the heart of the Arcanus Castellum, would praise the safety of the capitols impenetrable defenses. Safe from all the harms and perils of Danmier, under the protection of the three towers.
Those who live on the lower levels, drowning in poverty, would indeed agree to the impassibility of the city's walls, but the words would leave their lips in curses, and not in praise.Those in the city are safe, yet trapped in a prison of arcane design. Those who reach the heart of the city have no reason to leave, but those left out, are kept out. Only the noble and wealthy have access to the inner circles of Andisines stacking walls.
The happenings of the three towers are unknown to all, even inside the heart of the capitol. No one knows what lead to the shift of power. All that is known is that now there are but three religions in the standing city. The three gods of arcane magic. To worship any other deity is treason against the towers, and is punishable by death.
With the aid of their powerful magic, and the elite guards known as the Servitours Arcanus that patrol the walls, the towers are able to keep tabs on the happenings of Andisine. With many walls, sewers, and fallen buildings, there are many places to hide. Some groups no doubt still meet in secret to worship the deities under the guise of false businesses or non religious gatherings, but as is seen time and time again, they are all discovered, and suffer.
Andisine, the standing city. A city divided, yet self contained.
Those who live on the upper levels, near the heart of the Arcanus Castellum, would praise the safety of the capitols impenetrable defenses. Safe from all the harms and perils of Danmier, under the protection of the three towers.
Those who live on the lower levels, drowning in poverty, would indeed agree to the impassibility of the city's walls, but the words would leave their lips in curses, and not in praise.Those in the city are safe, yet trapped in a prison of arcane design. Those who reach the heart of the city have no reason to leave, but those left out, are kept out. Only the noble and wealthy have access to the inner circles of Andisines stacking walls.
The happenings of the three towers are unknown to all, even inside the heart of the capitol. No one knows what lead to the shift of power. All that is known is that now there are but three religions in the standing city. The three gods of arcane magic. To worship any other deity is treason against the towers, and is punishable by death.
With the aid of their powerful magic, and the elite guards known as the Servitours Arcanus that patrol the walls, the towers are able to keep tabs on the happenings of Andisine. With many walls, sewers, and fallen buildings, there are many places to hide. Some groups no doubt still meet in secret to worship the deities under the guise of false businesses or non religious gatherings, but as is seen time and time again, they are all discovered, and suffer.
Andisine, the standing city. A city divided, yet self contained.
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