Chapter 2: Meld Over Magic.
#161
Posted 24 March 2009 - 07:34 AM
"sss, pesssky dwarfssss, hssssss" he stood and plonked himself on the seat, stooping forward. The new mage and Shava both looked at him, and he hissed at them by way of reply, stooping lower to the table with darting eye movements taking in the room.
damnit the idiot is in control, he probably wont even kill the bloody dwarf now!
You say that like its a bad thing
Shut up you weak bastard, you were just going to take that from the midget, you bloody kind-hearted cur!
Zhar just sat letting out a long quite hiss, as the two within argued.
#162
Posted 27 March 2009 - 12:25 AM
"Daggerweave and lothor were 2 of my traveling companions when we fought dragons," Brok said "Ive been searching for them since Ive come out of self induced exile." Brok then pointed at Zhar "And to you i'd watch your steps and your words. Ive fought so called gods before and won. There is no god, that is a god without worshipers...gods are merely extrodinarily gifted people who are taken to be a super being, but they are nothing more then fool tricksters which all have their end."
(sorry for the bad grammar ahead of time )
#163
Posted 27 March 2009 - 07:29 AM
"I knowsss of your exsssploits, I havesss been around longerssss then you think. And yess, the godsss are liesss, Zhar knowss thissss. But Demonssss are real, and their Godly masssster. I wouldss probably be a god byss your definssssion, and i knowss the exsssact date of my endssss. Twelve yearssss, twelve more yearssss of sssservitude..." he said in a dark hissing voice
"and then my damnatsssion beginssss." he whispered to himself quite enough so no one could hear.
This was the first time the group had ever heard Zhar speak of this
"how do you know you have twelve years?" said Shava to Zhar. Be he did not answer, hissing quietly and again slumping back down.
#164
Posted 30 March 2009 - 02:39 AM
"Anyway," cut in Theria, interrupting Zhar's little monologue. "My name is Theria Moriarty, and as far as I can tell, I lead this little band of heroes." The dwarf smiled, catching Theria's little grin at her gratuitous use of titles. "Brok, Varin, Falk, the three of you are welcome to join us. I daresay we could all do with hearing a few new war stories. Tom's are getting a little repetitive, you see," she added, casting a cheeky little glance at the Deathknelf. He simply chuckled and took a swig from his mug.
Zhar, muttering about newcomers, demons, food, the number twelve and, inexplicably, a corset, left the tavern, heading out into the night air as he did almost every night they stayed in a town. Theria had no worry for Zhar; he was more than capable of destroying everyone and everything in this entire citadel if he so chose, so a midnight stroll should not present him with any major difficulties. Slowly conversation began, stilted at first but slowly growing into an entertaining and more than a little drunken affair. Eventually their words meandered around to plans for the future. Mind a tad inhibited by the excessive alcohol she had consumed, Theria slid down Tom's shoulder, nestling against his chest. It was warm there, and she could hear his heart beating under his skin. Had she been in a state to realise it, she would no doubt have laughed at how fast the Deathknelf's heartbeat became as she sat snug against him. Garbled though her lexicon was, the gist of her query was clear enough.
"Where'm you off tz?" she asked Varin, trying to keep her eyes on him, but sliding down over and over again to stare at the oaken table.
"I'm not going anywhere," murmured the young mage, apparently unused to inebriation.
"No, no, no, no," she replied, pushing herself upright, hands in Tom's crotch. He blushed bright red under the swirls of coloured skin, but fortunately for his masculinity, Theria did not even notice. "I mean, in't future. 'Morrow, you know?"
"Oh, yeah." Varin cast his eyes about, as though seeking for an answer. "Don't know, I think," he eventually said.
"You think?"
"I can't remember," he explained. "I don't think I had an'thing else planned af'er this place."
"You should come with us!" Theria exclaimed brightly, trying to stand up and failing dismally. Illyriel grabbed her arm, holding her upright. It seemed he could hold his drink a lot better than his once-paramour. "We're going north, and then on the sea!" Theria's face fell. "I don't like sailin'," she muttered, looking at Tom again, as though for support this time. He offered her an encouraging smile, which she returned before turning back to face Varin once more. "You have pretty eyes," she declared, leaning forward to look closer, though the table provided a hefty and very solid obstacle. After a moment's straining against the unfathomable opponent the furnishings provided her befuddled body, she seemed to realise that the edge of the table was digging into her stomach. She turned back to Tom.
"I think I'm going to be sick," she announced, enunciating carefully in the way that one can only do when far too deep under the influence. Tom jerked back but met with his seat. A moment later he was proved to be too slow as Theria retched a wonderful sample of how not to conduct oneself in polite company into his lap. Tom and Illyriel cast one another a glance, as though to say Let's get her to bed. They both stood up, though only one of them had tiny half-digested chunks of meat and bread falling away as they did so. Illyriel could not help himself but grin at Tom's somewhat mortified condition.
"She could never handle her drink too well," laughed Illyriel, pulling Theria to her feet. "Come on, girl, let's get you lying down somewhere." Theria nodded, looking a little green.
"You should come with us, you know," she said, looking back at Varin, and by extension Falk and Brok, seated on either side of the mage. "It's gonna be dangerous. Parlous, you know. Perilous. Hazardous. Unsafe. Deadly. Potentially lethal. Jeopardous." She trailed off, listing further synonyms as Tom and Illyriel half-carried her upstairs to bed.
((I thought drunk Theria might be fun for a while. By the way, Varin's obviously a little drunk, and Tom's covered in vomit, but other than that I think everyone's however you want. So yeah, that gives you new guys your way in, and we can set off once Theria's slept off the worst of it. ))
#165
Posted 30 March 2009 - 03:08 AM
Following Tom and Illyriel upstairs, Shava expressed her dismay at Theria's condition, but she claimed Tom's was more dire. "You're probably quite disgusted by that. If you'd like, I could make it so you...don't much care about it. But that's probably a bad idea, because I don't have any prior experience with Deathknelve. 'There's a first time for everything', as a friend of mine often said."
((VORT: "Death or dislike". Fuckin' hilarious, man. Also, you misspelled 'marital'. Sorry, couldn't resist interfering. ))
#166
Posted 30 March 2009 - 09:05 AM
that is so something i would have Zhar doZhar, muttering about newcomers, demons, food, the number twelve and, inexplicably, a corset
-------------
Zhar took to the night air, and as the night wore on and the moon rose into the sky, the streets became pretty well empty. It was then that he heard a commotion going on in one of the huts on the far outskirts of town. He heard a womans distressed voice, and a deeper mans voice.
"come on now, it won't hurt much"
"no, no, leave me alone"
"come on, you know you want it"
"no!"
Zhar slinked from the roof like a cat, letting out a serpent-like hiss. Conversation inside was still subdued, but the tension was clearly evident
"quite woman! you cant flaunt around like that and not expect a few takers"
"whatssss going on here then ssss" Said Zhar, opening the door.
A man stood over a woman cowering in the corner, knife in hand.
"oi! who are you? This is none of your business, just go..." the man stopped mid sentence as the Kriss flashed into his throat, Hurled as it was by Zhar at a frighten speed. The dagger glowed slight, before fading, along with it the light of life in the mans eyes.
The man crumpled to the ground, the woman looking in surprise. Zhar smirked
"you saved me!" said the woman, Zhar pulled the Kriss from the corpse
"i dont know how i can replay you, that man would have killed me for sure after he was done"
"there issss a way you can repaysss me" the woman just started at him, expression becoming slightly fearful again
'oh.. um, how?"
No, dont do it! dont kill her!
oh yes, good work! kill the woman, what a fantastic idea!
"Your sssacrificsss iss appressssciated" he said, advancing on the woman. She let out the start of a scream, but was silenced before it could fully come out.
Zhar then straightened, fully rejuvenated. He stepped outside.
How could you!? you could have done a half way decent deed right there, and you sully it with yet another unnecessary death. He murder did nothing to profit you!
"i wantedss to, ssssss" said Zhar, shuting out any further interjection.
he stepped away from the hut, before turning and stretching out his hand. Flames leapt forth to envelop the house. In but moments it was a charred ruin, the evidence of Zhars terrible deed all but erased.
Zhar then set off, uncaring.
#167
Posted 30 March 2009 - 12:36 PM
Tom looked disgustedly down at his tunic pants. He heard something from Shava and it registered somewhere in his head, but he wasn't exactly focused on conversation at the time.
"Oh... uh... no, thanks, I think I'll be fine," he replied half-heartedly as he wrangled out of the top of his outfit. The odd bands of skin and the scars they bared rippled as he threw the shirt into a tub, which he then filled with water. From his pack he produced a brown colored version of the same thing. "Always carry a spare," he muttered to himself. Tom put the thing on, welcoming the feel of the broken-in fibers which contrasted the hard chill in the room.
He went to the tub of water and started rubbing on his tunic, but stopped after about three strokes. "To hell with this..." He pulled his hands free of the water and shook them clean. "Everybody, everybody, everyone - I need to change. I need you guys to get out of here, I need to sleep. I'm sorry. See you all tomorrow."
When everyone had left the room he was in, he climbed out of his pants and put the brown pair he carried with him on, and dove into the bed, where he promptly fell asleep.
If you meet me:
Have some courtesy,
Have some sympathy,
And some taste.
Use all your well-learned politesse,
Or I'll lay your soul to waste.
#168
Posted 30 March 2009 - 02:03 PM
Someone walked down the stairs, as quiet as possible, but Varin had already noticed him. His left eye opened and he saw Falk come down. The guy was wearing some sort of wide sleeping outfit and no footwear. ''Varin, are you awake?'' Falk said.
''I'm always awake,'' Varin replied.
''good.'' Falk jumped of the stairs and walked to the corner. He grabbed a chair and sat down.
Varin had his eyes closed again and concentrated upon any trail of magic around him. Anharad was full of it. An endless source of magic for the untrained. 'Falk, I can not join them,' he spoke softly.
Falk muttered that he understood and started tapping on the table. A silence fell. Varin still had trouble with the death of his parents and Falk knew he shouldn't start talking about it. ''What will you do, Varin?''
''I'm not sure. I have to find him, but I'm not sure I can ask for the help of these strangers.''
''Of course you can!'' Both Varin and Falk were startled as Theria ran off the stairs. She sat down at their table with huge speed and already asked a question before Varin had the time to react on her sudden appearance. ''What do you need our help for then?''
Falk glanced to Varin and gave a brief summary. ''His parents were killed by a band of mercenaries.'' A very brief summary indeed.
Varin looked away as Theria's gaze tried to meet his. '''That's only half of the story,'' the mage said. ''The mercenaries came here, to Anharad, and I followed them to get my revenge.''
Theria jumped up. ''Well, we'll help you!'' she said. The enthousiasm with which she did so was overwhelming and Varin was surprised by this sudden outburst. ''Does tomorrow sound fine?'' Theria added with a sweet smile.
Edited by Taralom, 30 March 2009 - 02:42 PM.
please take note that, until further notice, I don't care, so get lost.
#169
Posted 30 March 2009 - 02:39 PM
He then caught sight a of flurry of chunks get blown at the unfortunate deathknelve.
"You there Tom i believe" he then noticed Tom's skin "you have similar markings to daggerweave you would perhaps know him would you"
Brok took out a knife and carved his intials into the table.
He then laughed "can't be many more bars that dont have that somewhere in them nowadays"
#170
Posted 30 March 2009 - 09:39 PM
Vithar leaned against the wall, and stared off into space, not focusing on anything.
:Perhaps the morrow will bear with it more promise...? As long as we can keep Theria away from too much drink...: Vithar chuckled to himself.
#171
Posted 04 April 2009 - 05:21 AM
"Good to see you up and moving," said Illyriel from behind her. She spun around, surprised; through her headache she had not even heard the door open. "You look rough," he continued, crossing the room to give her a hand. She was further surprised when she found Illyriel's helping hand to be more than a little helpful. She was none too steady on her feet just yet. "Come on downstairs and have something to eat. I'll have the innkeeper rustle you up something nice and hearty." Theria shrugged out of Illyriel's grasp, collapsing back down on to the bed.
"I'll come down in a few minutes. Just let me get myself awake properly first, and looking presentable." She pulled herself back upright and began to scan the room for her clothes. Illyriel smirked to himself for a moment before leaving.
Theria came downstairs a few minutes later, dressed and washed and looking a great deal more awake than before, to find the entire group but for Rom and Morion, still outside in the stables as they were, sat around the long table in the middle of the room, filling up on meat, bread and some kind of soup. Illyriel motioned her to sit down between himself and Tom, where a plate of steaming hot fresh food awaited her. She attacked the meal with gusto, her stomach desperate for satisfaction after so long without.
"I've decided to come with you," announced Varin suddenly. "Like you offered last night, Theria. If you'll help me find those mercenaries who burned my village, I'll offer you my services in return for wherever your quest takes you." He looked around at the group, gauging reactions. There were none too extreme except for Zhar.
"I'm already here, you know," he muttered. "We've got the dark wizard spot pretty much covered." Zhar hissed briefly and Varin frowned, confused by Zhar's erratic and untrustworthy behaviour. The rest of the group simply ignored him, having long since developed a tolerance to Zhar's more unusual tendencies.
"We'd be happy to help," confirmed Theria, taking up once more the reins of the group. Nobody else ever seemed to want to make decisions. "And I'm sure it will be a pleasure to have you around."
"I'll try not to take too long sorting out my affairs," continued Varin. "And as my bondsman, Falk will also be joining us." Falk merely nodded, mouth full of steak.
"Then let's finish up here and go find whoever it is you're after," agreed Theria, shovelling food down her throat at ever increasing speeds. It turned out she was extremely hungry.
((Alright, folks, let's go find Varin's enemies. Taralom, feel free to take the lead on this one.))
#172
Posted 04 April 2009 - 10:12 AM
The group ate, but Zhar sat, the soup that had been presented to him untouched, scrunching a face as he had been given it. The hunger was deep and needy, hunger pains so bad that when he had first felt them, he had been crippled with agony. But as the weeks went past and it did not ease up, he began to cope, now, atleast on the outside, appearing unconcerned with it.
He knew better by now then to try and satisfy his hunger. It was a fruitless endeavor, which had alwayse ending with him feeling worse off then when he began. Same with drink, thats why his voice was now a rasping deathly croak compared to the voice he had once possessed. The Demon had taken much, but atleast Zhar had managed to stave off death for much longer then he would have been able to otherwise, now if he could just find a way to put a stopper in his destined fate.
Zhar frowned, and walked away from the table. Walking from the group, he set off waundering, as he commonly did. He would locate the group before they left.
He rushed far away, soaring at great speed, as a sudden need for solitude overwhelmed him. He landed in an isolated patch of bushland. And then the great pain in his head sent him to his knees. A great smothing weight overwhelmed him, and he blanked out.
He awoke to see a great fiery desolate hell, filled with shadows and twisted impossible angles. He look to see himself, mirrored again and again, standing before an alter covered in blood.
"Ssssss, he comessss" said one of him, stooping and with much more ragged garments and even more ragged hair,
"yes, Zhar, now be quite" said a second, standing taller and looking more scholarly then the others, glasses upon the tip of his noes.
Suddenly it clicked. These were the others inside his head. Each looked slightly different, though all were clearly him. He looked down at himself, noticing how similar he looked to his real self, with only a few minor differences. Well, he was the 'original Zhar', well, as close to the original still existing in this mind, it only made sense that he looked most similar to his actual appearance.
"Zhar..." says a deep, terrifying voice. All the Zhars around him cringed noticeably
"When Vayu Died He Did Not Come To Me, Like He Should Have, Regardless Of Your Failure. A Great Power Is Tampering With Events. You Are To Find Where Vayu Is, And Destroy Him, Do Not Fail Me This Time" and the demons presence disappeared, with no further explanation. A bright flash and Zhar was back in the bush.
Well, i guess we have our 'orders'...
...That Demon!...
...Yesss
"That was odd, but yes, it appears we have no choice, but is it just me or did you get the destinct impression the Demon lord wasn't quite sure what was going on... and why did he take so long to comand us? why didn't he tell us straight away."
Was probably preoccupied with 'demon stuff', you know how it is
Zhar shrugged, then looked up at the sky,
"damn" the sun had moved across the sky, he must have been out for longer then it seemed. He flew back to the town to find the group done with breakfast and pretty well ready to leave.
"I'm back, my little peaches, let us go straight after Vayu, who cares about mercenaries, we dont need this mans party tricks, I have all the real magic we need. Leave them to go where they will, but Vayu is our goal"
Edited by some_weirdGuy, 16 April 2009 - 12:02 AM.
#173
Posted 04 April 2009 - 12:43 PM
''Need me?'' Zhar hissed. ''I don't need you, that's what it is.''
Varin spun around and threw a blast of dark magic. Zhar flicked the magic away without much trouble. Theria stood up and yelled something, but Varin had already unsheathed his sword and stepped forward. A ball of fire sprouted in his free hand, but he was unable to attack. Zhar appeared right in front of him with amazing speed and blasted him away. As Varin crushed against the wall, he let go of his sword. Zhar grinned and closed in for a second attack. Instinctively, Varin created a shockwave with both of his hands, sweeping the tables, chairs and other furniture away. Zhar did not even use his magic to keep standing. He did not need to.
Varin rolled away and quickly got up his feet, but turned his back to his opponent in the process. Zhar noticed and used the same shockwave-spell as Varin had used moments earlier. Walls were blown away, wood was turned to dust in an instant and Varin was shot away. He landed a few dozen feet further away, in the middle of the street. Agony filled his entire being. He had landed on his left arm and blood was pouring out several hideous wounds.
Zhar had already left the ruins of the building and was slowly walking to him. Varin turned his right side to the monstrous mage and collected all of his magic in the palm of his hand. Slowly, a dark vortex formed in his opened hand. Zhar's eyes widened and he stood still. The mage raised his hands and prepared for another attack.
Tom, the peacekeeper, bashed Zhar away with his broad arms. ''Stop it, you two.''
Falk ran towards Varin and glanced at the wounds in the mage's arm. Zhar stood up again, having regained his calmth. He just gave an evil smile and walked away. Theria passed him and tried to stop him, but Zhar stroke her arms away and continued.
Theria sat down at Varin's side and looked at the wounds in his arm. ''Why did you do that?'' she asked.
Varin looked down the street and could just see the cloak of the dark mage as he turned round the corner. ''I'm going to kill him.''
Theria shook his head. ''No, you're not.''
Edited by Copaman, 06 April 2009 - 12:03 PM.
Tom isn't a minotaur :P
please take note that, until further notice, I don't care, so get lost.
#174
Posted 04 April 2009 - 03:43 PM
"Really, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves," he said scathingly. "A pair of grown mages fighting like little boys." Zhar glared at him, but Rindar consoled himself by picturing the dark mage with an arrow in his throat.
"Now then, your name is Varin? You obviously have much to learn about this group; they'll go after you if you attack one of them." He slid closer to the dark mage. "Now, if the two of us were to... unite interests, as it were, I'm sure that we could take down our respective enemies." Rindar's eyes flashed. "So, what do you say?"
Careful. This link is DANGEROUS. Do NOT click it. This one, however, is fine.
I had the meaning of life in my signature, but it exceeded the character limit.
#175
Posted 04 April 2009 - 04:44 PM
Sweeping her dark hair out of her eyes, Shava stared at Varin through her marred and disfigured face. "Be careful around Zhar, kid. He's got manic-depression in the extreme; he's the only one of the group whose mind I avoid entirely. Too many personalities running around a bunch of hamster wheels in there. Some of them will king you and others will kill you. It's best to keep your distance from him until you can learn how to tell which Zhar controls his body. That's easy for me, but probably a little tougher for the likes of you."
#176
Posted 05 April 2009 - 02:53 AM
Zhar had asserted his superiority, like a gorilla pushing out his chest. Zhar was magically stronger,faster, and had more experience, among other advantages.
At least the mage had proved to not be a complete hopeless, that dark energy ball he had formed was a fairly powerful technique, by most standards. Still, there was no doubt who was more powerful, in anyones mind.
He looked back over at the ruined building
messssy messsssy
shut up, i was having fun
Why did Zhar not kill him?
Why should i have? besides, it might be interesting to keep that one alive.
Just like it is interesting to keep all the others alive?
...yes, the exact same.
A dark grin was painted onto his features, he walked the streets, the crowed giving him room to move forward unhindered. The mage had potential, Zhar could see it, but he was still no match...
#177
Posted 06 April 2009 - 12:59 PM
He adjusted his tunic and the leather armor underneath, and then fixed his sword belt.
"Can we just get moving? I mean, I'll definitely help you out and everything, but I need to get some stuff done..."
If you meet me:
Have some courtesy,
Have some sympathy,
And some taste.
Use all your well-learned politesse,
Or I'll lay your soul to waste.
#178
Posted 06 April 2009 - 02:13 PM
Everybody in the group looked away, not wanting to meet his gaze. This Vayu-person had got to be someone they wanted dead, or who wants them dead. A foe or worse. But judging by the way that the deathknelve had just spoken to him, that Vayu was already dead. But how can one kill something 'again'?
''Well?'' he tried.
please take note that, until further notice, I don't care, so get lost.
#179
Posted 06 April 2009 - 05:04 PM
Shava swiveled her head around, seeking Theria. The elf-woman had somehow become an undisputed leader, and the gnomess would not set out on any mission against Vayu without her. Of course, the Paladin ruler needed to be removed; complacency was not an option. If he were allowed any more time to regain strength and plot revenge, he might bring the gnomes of Arap Datrebil crashing to their short knees. "Where has Theria gone? We've got to get moving."
#180
Posted 13 April 2009 - 11:06 AM
"She's not lying," piped up Shava. "I can tell when people are lying."
"Thank you, Shava," conceded Theria. "Now we should go. All of you prepare to move out. We're heading north." She turned and left the shelter of the inn's four walls, heading out towards the stable in which resided her horse and Rom and Morion. The bond between man and minotaur was bizarrely strong.
Illyriel stood up and hurried out after Theria. He had seen that look in her eyes before; something had happened, and somebody was going to pay for it. And I'll be damned if it's going to be me, he thought.
((I'll explain this later. Plot device, my dear chaps. Anyway, saddle up and let's roll! The northern shore beckons.))
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