An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Xorn.
A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap is at 80. You change? Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)
Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a large tome gilt in gold on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Xorn' scribed in purple ink.
Author: Xorn
Date: Thu Feb 18 09:25:47
2010
Subject (RP) Interesting.....
Percival glances at Xorn across
the park.
The sun disappears beyond the horizon, and Xorn rests
upon a
blanket, taking in the moon's risings. His eyes
drift from the white, to the
red, and seem to search for
something invisible. He smiles to himself for a
moment,
before scanning the park. Upon seeing the young man
across the way,
Xorn grins slightly, his ice-blue eyes
catching the white moons light.
Percival feels a funny feeling when their two eyes meet
and smiles slightly.
Pretending not to notice the young man, but obviously
ignoring him on
purpose, Xorn leans back upon the blanket
he is resting on. With his finger he
begins to trace a
constellation.
Percival meanders his way slowly to the
blanket that the
cute human is on.
'The dark queen may be gone from the
sky, but I see your
consort is still there.'
Percival says 'I have also
noticed a few missing. Hi, I'm
Percival'
At the statement and the greeting,
Xorn sits back up, and
looks the man over thouroughly, pausing a moment before
speaking. 'Few know the stars and their meanings. During
this time of
upheaval...........who would have guessed
the heavens would be missing the two
most important
constellations. But I digress.'
Percival says 'I know, those
were my two favorite stars.
They burned the brightest to me.'
Xorn looks at
the man with a questioning gaze, but it is
gone as soon as it came. He grins
again, his eyes once
again looking the man up and down.
Percival begins to
check Xorn out secretly.
'It is such a beautiful night, to sit under the
Ironwood
trees. I often read the stars. And I am being rude,
since I have
your name and you do not have mine. I am
Xorn. Would you care to join me?'
Xorn pats the blanket
he rests upon, scooting over slightly to make room on his
right side.
Percival says 'I would love to' and as he sits on the
blanket.
He reaches out his hand.
As Percival extends his hand, Xorn reaches out and
both
shake hands. But as Xorn releases his grip, he runs his
delicate fingers
down Percival's palm, looking him
directly in the eyes as he does. 'So what
brings you to
Solace.......you don't look like you are from around
here?
Displaced from the west, or......I know...you seem
like the adventurous type.'
Percival says 'wow, you can read me like a book. I am the
adventurous type.'
Xorn grins at Percival, nodding to his statement. From
behind him, he pulls a
leather satchel. When he opens
it, there are several books and scrolls inside.
He pulls
a piece of parchment from it, and speaks. 'I do love
to.........read. And I have a knack for meeting.....you
could
say.....interesting people. Are you an interesting
person Percival?'
Percival asks 'I think so...Why would i have such an
interesting jacket if I
was not interesting?'
Xorn takes the parchment in hand and begins to fold it.
A corner here, a corner there. His hands work quickly
but with skill, and
he keeps folding the parchment while
he converses with the young man.
Percival asks 'So where are you from?'
'I have travelled extensively these
last few years.
Collecting..........interesting things. Knowledge
mostly.
It has power you know. But if I had to call a
place home it would be Tarsis.'
Percival asks 'I've been there... Do you collect people's
hearts?'
At the
question, Xorn looks perplexed, and a little
uneasy, his eyes looking up as if
he is remembering
something. But again this is quickly gone, his normal
expression returning, the smile back. 'I once killed an
elven cat, and took
it's heart. But it wasn't exactly a
person and........it was a matter of
neccesity.'
Percival asks 'Nice... So tell me, you have any family?'
Xorn
continues to fold the paper, and it begins to take
the shape of something
familiar and unsettling. When his
hands stop moving it has become a dragon
crafted of
parchment, it's wings spread out in flight.
Percival says 'I
like it. You gotta teach me that
sometime.'
'Family...........once upon a
time. But that is
something I would rather not discuss. '
Percival says
'Alright. I have never known my family.I
have had to fend for myself all of
these years.'
Xorn pulls the tail of dragon, and the wings flap up and
down. He studies it a moment, before reaching out and
placing it in front of
Percival.
Percival says 'Thank you.' and grabs the parchment
dragon. He
studies the dragon carefully... It seems to
look semi realistic to him.
'Fending for yourself is the way of the universe my
friend. The strong live,
and the weak die. It
isnt..........evil.........it's just the way of nature
and existence. To believe otherwiseis...well foolish.'
Percival abruptly
hisses 'I say kill the weak! Show no
weakness! Cept in times.'
'Killing is
neccessary upon occasion, but the weak and
foolish end up dooming themselves.
But such is not a
conversation for such a beautiful night,and..interesting
company.'
Percival says 'Too true. All too true. So, do you have a
wife?'
As Percival studies the paper dragon, again Xorn studies
the man closely.
Reaching into his satchel again, he
pulls a vial of what appears to be dust. 'I
have never
married, nor do I think I ever shall. I am devoted to
something
greater'
Percival says 'Im not Interested in wives. Too much of a
hassle.
Always wanting more and more shoes.'
Taking a pinch of the dust from the
vial, Xorn reaches
over and sprinkles it upon the figurine in Percival's
hand.
Smiling he asks, 'And what.....exactly are you
interested in....my new
friend?'
Percival looks uneasy... that goes away a split second
after it
came. 'umm...' Percival contemplates something.
'Males... I know its not
natural, but I can't help it.'
Xorn throws back his head and laughs heartily,
but stops
himself suddenly, looking around the park for signs of
other
visitors. 'A dangerous.........interest. It can
get you killed. Especially
in small towns such as
these.'
Percival says 'I love to live dangerously...
shhh'
Percival puts his finger up to Xorn's lips.
Xorn again laughs heartily
as Percival puts his finger up
to his lips. He then simply nods. 'Dangerously
it is
then!'. Xorn begins to speak in a language beautiful and
complex, and
takes his own finger and begins to wave in
the air. Suddenly the paper dragon
that Percival is
holding, beings to float from his hand and into the air.
It's wings flap and it's tailwags back and forth as it
begins to fly around
the two on the blanket, orchestrated
by the direction Xorn points.
Percival
begins laughing and says 'Nicely done.' He
starts to point around to try moving
the dragon but only
looks like a bafoon.
'And now for the grande finale'.
Clutching his hand into
a fist, the dragon expells a tiny flame from it's paper
mouth, and the catches on fire. It quickly incenerates,
but instead of ashes,
gold glitter falls down upon the
two. Xorn smiles broadly.
Xorn turns to
Percival, his expression becoming more
serious as he does. 'I am full of
surprises. And I have
many.......interests. At the moment, you have piqued
mine.' Xorn reaches out his hand and gently strokes down
the side of
Percival's face.
Percival whispers 'Wow... never met another with the same
feelings.'
'I have eclectic tastes. As for feelings....' Xorn looks
up to
the sky again, a glint of recognition coming across
his face, his expression
changing to a a serious tone. 'I
have........business I must attend.
Percival
says 'Alright, go attend to your buisness.' He
kisses Xorn's hand and stands,
bowing before the mage.
'It would be a pleasure to meet again.In one week's
time?
We can have further..discussion.'Xorn gathers his
satchel, and grinning
as Percival kisses his hand. He
looks to the sky and nods, whispering 'It is
time.'
Walking around one of the trees, he vanishes.
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Feb 20 08:57:18 2010
Subject (BG) Part 1
Under The Light Of The Moons
Tarsis was once a beautiful city by the
sea, and the
glowing gem of Ansalon. A bustling city, a leader in
commerce
and culture, it was only rivaled by Ishtar. And
I know this, for I was born
before the God's rained down
judgement upon Krynn.
I would give you it was
the best of times speech, but my
childhood was....average, the only child to a
successful
merchant father, and a mother with a terrible secret. For
you see,
she was a renegade mage. During this time, they
were hunted with even greater
fervor than they are today,
but she practiced her art in secrecy, and remained
hidden
for the majority of my childhood. This however, would
change when I
was fourteen.
I had began to show what my mother refferd to as "the
signs."
When I would become upset or anxious, curious
things would happen. A picture
would fly from the wall,
a glass of water would overturn.
So she came to
me one night, dressed in fine gold and
emerald robes, and beckoned me to follow
her to the wine
cellar. She was as serious as I had ever seen her, and
coming
up to one of the walls, she simply knocked. The
wall shuddered, and creaked,
as the stones began to re-
arrange themselves, a door forming. Speaking a
tongue I
had never heard, light sprang from the newly found room
beyond.
"My
Son, I wished, and even prayed that this night would
never come. However
destiny had other plans for you. I
have kept a secret from you. Something that
could
destroy me, and now apparantly us both." She continued
thoughtfully,
pausing a moment. "I.....I mean we have
the gift of magic. This is a blessing
and a curse, for
there are others of our kind who wish to....form us to
their
preconceptions of it's use. They will come for us
if we are discovered, these
wizards who worship the
moons." I looked around the expansive chamber in awe.
It
was full of books, and jars of spices.
"Here we will learn how to control
the power that flows
through you. This has to be our secret, and you must
swear to me that you will never use what I have taught
you in public. The
consequences will be dire." I nodded
to her, the understanding coming without
words.
For the next year, we spent every night in study.
Cantrips at first,
and progressing into the first spells
I would ever learn. It came quite
naturally to me, and
especially invocation spells. That year was a joy to me
and it opened my eyes to the vast power that I could one
day possess.
And
then the dream began. At first I could not remember
what the vision was about,
just a feeling of foreboding
that would come with me into the waking world. But
slowly
as the nights passed, I would remember a glimpse here and
there.
Through the next few months, the dream would
repeat itself, and each time I
would remember more.
I am standing in the great Library of Tarsis, surrounded
by shelf upon shelf of books and scrolls. The library is
empty, and when I
look to the ceiling it is missing. The
constellations shine down brightly,
because the moons
have not risen.
The White moon rises first, and it is
full. Silver light
falls upon the library, brightly illuminating the various
pieces of art and sculpture. The light is comforting, and
a male voice speaks
from all around me. "To save her,
you must sacrifice your life."
Next, the
red moon rises, again full. The library
becomes tinged in hues of red, tinting
everything the
color of blood. Another voice speaks, this time female.
"To save
each other, you must sacrifice your desire."
Finally, the black moon rises.
It tints the room in
shades of grey at first, then things become progressively
darker. A third voice speaks, but this one is unearthly,
neither male or
female or perhaps a combination of both.
"To you save yourself, you must
sacrifice her."
The moons now converge into the "Great Eye", the light of
all
three now focused in a beam directly upon me. Now
all three voices speak in
unison, a cocophany of sound
that overpower all of my senses. "Three
choices....
three paths of destiny."
And with that, I would wake carrying a
weight upon me
that invaded my body, mind and spirit. This began to
take its
toll, as I awoke nightly contemplating the
symbolism and questioning these
three choices. And I
would not have to wait very long for the answers.
Flashing forward another year. I am now almost seventeen.
The dream has gone,
but I do still contemplate it. I
suppose I should have shared it with my
mother, but
something compelled me to keep this insight to myself, as
if I was
unable to tell her. Looking back I see the Geas
upon me.
One day I was in
the market district, picking up certain
"spices" for the collection, when I
simply lost track of
the time. I was alone, and the sun began to set quickly.
When night came only Solanari rose in the sky, the other
two moons waned to
new. And as I hurried home, footsteps
gained upon me.
They attacked from
the shadows with blinding speed,
knocking me to the ground in seconds, the
components I
had purchased scattered. Then a knife ripped heat and
pain into
my face. I was bleeding profusely, the blood
running into my eyes, when a rage
overtook me. My
attackers laughed, and I felt a kick to the ribs as I lay
upon the ground.
I wasn't going to die this night, and I reached for the
vial in front of me. Grabbing the sulphur, I let the
magic take control.
Conjuring the mental picture, I
flung the substance into the air, but what were
the
words. They came to me, and with hate in my blood
stained eyes, the magic
came forth. A great force took
the air away, as fire exploded upon my
tormentors from
bloodied hands. And then, the stench of burning flesh
and
screams.
Freed, with my attackers reeling I ran towards home. But
I never
made it, for HE was upon me, a man in black
robes. "Where is you master!" he
exclaimed. "You did
not learn that power by yourself. Who taught you that
invocation?" I was frozen in place, my mind shifting back
and forth, and my
lips silent. He persisted. "Tell me
or I shall rip the information from your
mind!"
Then a curious thing happened, the light of the silver
moon came down
upon me, and the dagger at my side, and
the same voice I heard in the dream
spoke. "To save her,
you must sacrifice yourself." And I was selfish for I
had to survive.
A black robe placed his fingers upon my head and reached
into my thoughts. There is no way to describe it, he
just.........stole them,
and when he was done, he slapped
me across the face, and left me with these
words. "Do
not make the mistake your mother has. When it is time,
seek us,
or we will come for you." And then I blacked
out.
I awoke sometime later,
and I rushed home, but I found my
house in ruins, and my father huddled in a
corner. He
rose up as if to strike me. "This is YOUR fault. They
have taken
her, and you are no longer my son.....mage!"
And with that statement I knew I
was on my own. And I
knew instinctively, that THEY had found her, and spirited
her away. I had not sacrificed myself to save her, and
the first path was now
gone. I salavaged what was left
of her spellbooks and scrolls and I never
looked back.
For the next year I wandered southward towards the Ice,
wanting
to be alone with my choice and what information I
could glean from my mother's
work. And a night came when
I sat in front of a fire on a cold winter's night.
The
red moon rose full in the heavens, with no trace of the
white or black.
I heard the tingling of bells, and knew
someone was very near, woman's voice
came from the
darkness.
"Might you share your fire with an old woman? The
night
is cold and I have travelled far." I nodded but placed
my hand upon the
dagger at my side as she came into view.
CONTINUED....
Author:
Xorn
Date: Sat Feb 20 09:05:44 2010
Subject (BG)
Part 2 Under The Light Of The Moons
She was a crone, dressed in furs and
skins, carrying a
staff of ironwood which she used as a cane. She rested
across the fire and grinned a toothless smile towards me
and spoke. "You are
a kind young man." The words
sickened me and I replied, "Not as kind as you
might
think." We sat in silence for a long while, it becoming
uncomforable and
I decided to make some form of small
talk.
"It is not safe for an elderly
woman as yourself to
travel the wilds alone." At this statement, the crone
cackled with glee, her wrinkled face lit with amusement.
"Deary, I am never
alone." She hissed this and waved her
hand to the darkness beyond. I saw a
sickly green glow in
the distance, quickly coming closer to my camp, and when
it reached the perimeter, terror came into my soul. For
it was obviously a
disembodied spirit. Something dead
but alive, however incorporal. She waved
her hand again,
and this apparition simply vanished.
"Who are you?" I
asked, and the crone responded simply,
"I am the only one who can help you.
They will fulfill
their promise you know. They WILL come for you, and they
will tear your soul apart if you do not accept them."
Stunned, I simply sat
frozen, my gaze locked now with
hers. This went on for some time until she
broke the
silence again with her crackled voice. "But this does
not have to
be. I could teach you a rare magic, that is
if you have
the............desire."
The word desire hit me like a boulder, and the light
of
the red moon seemed to focus down upon the campsite like
a beacon of
scarlet, with the same voice from the dream
searing my mind. "To save each
other, you must sacrifice
your desire." The Crone stood and beckoned me.
"Follow
me if you want my power. The choice is yours." And I
wanted that
power for myself, and with that choice made,
I went further into my destiny
knowing that the second
path was now cut off from me.
I stayed with the crone
for another year, learning with
relish the awesome power of Necromancy as well
as the
other spells and tecniques she had to offer. She was not
a cruel
master, but neither was she warm. I saw in her a
philosophy of life that made
sense to me. The strong
survived and the weak died. Those that had knowledge
had
power over the ignorant.
Over that year she had become sick, and
this sickness
became worse. I knew she would not live much longer and
so did
she. And so a night came when she came to sit
beside me by the fire. "My body
will not live much longer
my apprentice. And so now I must
make...preperations. I
will not be taken to the realm of the dead. And with
what must be done, I must ask you to go. I have prepared
a spell book for you
and packaged a.....unique amulet
that might aid you to take on your journey.
You must
leave this very night."
I simply nodded, grapsing her words and
what she intended
to do. I began to speak but she put her finger to her
lips
to quiet me. "They will consider you ready for
thier.....test. Go to them or
not, this is your choice,
and either way there will be consequence. And rememer
deary, there are others paths, those that are not
illuminated by the light of
the moons." I reeled from
her words, nearly fainting in fact, but I steadied
myself
and simply....began to pack. The amulet she gave me was
beautifully
crafted of emerald and gold. She would not
tell me of its use, only that it
would be available when
the timing was right.
And so north I travelled and
the closer to civilization I
became, the more stories I began to hear. Ishtar
had
begun forcing its will upon its neighbors, the self
righteous King Priest
declaring a holy war on those of a
different mind than his own. The moon mages
were under
scrutiny and were even being attacked in some places. I
found all
of this amusing, but my amusement would soon
end.
I would head to Solace. I
did not know why I was going
there, but it seemed like a reasonable place to
blend in.
I had decided I was not going to die in the moon mages
stupid test.
I could do as my mother had done, and study
in secret. It was now close to the
end of the year, and
soon the three moons would converge into the "Great Eye".
Everytime this alignment would happen I became on edge,
always the dream
coming into my mind, haunting me. And
this time it was even more so, for I was
nearing Tarsis
once more. I planned to skirt the city, but I needed
supplies
for the next leg of my journey. There in an inn
came more bizzare gossip and
stories. Some talked of the
ocean's boiling. Others talked of raging fires in
one
place, and then in another fire would not burn at all.
Some said that
clerics from all over had vanished from
their temples.
I found what I
needed the next day, and quickly left the
city heading towards the mountains to
the north. The sun
had set and I was contemplating all I had heard the
previous day as I was making camp when the final piece of
destiny fell into
place.
The lightning came out of nowhere, and struck me with
such force that
I flew through the air and landed hard
against a tree, the wind knocked out of
me. I gasped,
reeling from the magic, when a figure in black robes came
to
stand above. He was hooded, and I could not see his
face. The figure appeared
to be trying to speak, and I
realized that I had become deafened.
Anger,
fear, and instinct took me as I began to fumble
for components in the pouches
hanging from my belt. And
the figure reached down to grab me. The blackest
light
shone down upon me suddenly and the emerald in the amulet
began to glow
a sickly green, and I simply knew this was
the time of which the crone spoke.
And I lifted it from
my chest. Instantly a bolt of sickly green mystical
energy flew into the black robe above me, and just as
quickly he was engulfed
in the same green flames. Still
deafened, I could not hear screams, but the
figure
collapsed to the ground, tearing at itself.
I tried to get up, but my
legs would not respond to my
mental commands. The black robed mage became
inanimate
then. The fire had not actually burned him at all, and I
understood
the power of the charm. It had burned out his
soul. I dragged myself the few
feet to the body, and
using all my strength turned it over. I wanted to see my
enemy's lifeless eyes. And as I pulled back the hood,
the last part of me
that would ever truely feel or love
died. There was my own mother....dead at
my own hands.
And the unearthly male/female/neither voice spoke from
all
around me. "To save yourself, you must sacrifice
her." I cried out in
anguish, but could not hear myself.
A sadness I had never experienced overtook
me, and
coupled with the damage I had sustained I feel into
blackness.
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Feb 20
09:09:40 2010
Subject (BG) Part 3 Under The Light Of The Moons
I
awoke sometime later, to my camp and a rustling fire.
Noticing I could hear
again, and actually move again, I
slowly made my way towards it. However I was
not alone.
A child sat beside it, stoking the logs with a stick, and
as I met
his gaze his eyes bore deep inside me. Those
eyes were as black as night with
pupils of obsidian. I
froze in place, but the child giggled and spoke. "Xorn,
come and sit by the fire. There will be discussion." He
knew my name and I
felt compelled to do his will. So I
sat and he continued. "Why do you run from
your master?
Why do you hide the power he has given you from others?
He wants
you to come into his fold. He sent me here to
tell you he forgives you for
your stubborness. You have
had bad examples to follow. Come home to Nuitari,
and
you will know power beyond your imagination."
Suddenly I was overcome
with.....peace. I could continue
to run, learn on my own, keep my freedom, or
I could join
the Conclave and go to the tower for my test. The debate
went on
in my mind for what seemed an eternity. And the
child simply sat quietly there,
those black eyes staring
at me with question. Finally the child spoke again.
"You must decide quickly, or you WILL die here this very
night. Tonight is
the new year, and the Eye will
converge in the sky. Choose to be strong and
you will
live. Choose to remain weak and you will die. It is
your........last choice. He awaits your decision. Call
to the black moon at
the convergence and he will preserve
you. I leave you to your thoughts." And
with this the
boy stood and skipped gleefully into the night.
And for the
next hours I sat quietly and in stillness,
weighing the pros and cons of the
situation. And then
the moons began to rise one by one. And as the Eye began
to form, something else caught my attention in the
heavens. It looked to be a
new star at first, but it
began to grow in size and brightness. Bigger and
bigger
it became, and I realized something terrible was about to
occur. I
turned my attention back to the three moons at
the moment of convergence, and
lifted my hands to the
dark pupil at the center. I cried out, "I pledge my life
and destiny to you Nuitari. I am yours, do with me as you
wish." And then
there was nothingness.
I awoke in the dead of night, once again to a roaring
fire, but I was definitely in another location. My body
felt so heavy, but my
mind was sharp. And a giggle came
from the darkness, as the same child skipped
once more
into my life. "You are favored by the Dark Father Xorn.
He has
brought you out of death and into a new life. You
will find the
world......changed." I opened my lips to
speak but the boy put his finger to
his lips to quiet me.
This brought upon me a great feeling of deja vu. He
continued. "It will take you some time to.....adjust to
things. Go about
your life, it is yours for the time
being. However, when the Dark Lady, and
the Lord of
Light vanish from the heavens, you are to make your way
to the
Tower of Wayreth to take your test, and if you
survive, wear the robes of the
black moon. Do you
understand?" Afraid to open my mouth, again I nodded.
And so in a blink of an eye, I had been moved over three
hundred years into
the future. And yes, this did take
time to overcome. There were new cultures,
new
languages, new landscapes, and I relished in it, for I
was alive.
It
has been ten years ago I awoke to the new world, and
now, finally the time has
come. Paladine and Tahkisis
are gone from the sky, and I find myself in of all
places
Solace, heading towards The Tower and into my destiny.
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Fri Mar 5 09:19:58
2010
Subject (RP) A New Master And A Task (PT. 1)
Jendaron says
'Ah greetings human, I have heard your
name whispered in these halls but not
for positive
reasons. It seems you have fallen behind in your studies
of the
arts. Though perhaps it is not a fault of your
own, it is something that
concerns me. So thusly, from
this point forth I will be taking over your
training. As
you are a black robe, and I oversee all black robes, it
is my
duty to make sure you get back on track. What do
they call you, human?'
The
apprentice, upon noticing the head of the conclave
entering, and his words,
simply nods, bowing slightly.
When the high mage finshes Xorn nods in
agreement. "My
name is Xorn master. You need no introduction. You are
a
legend."
Jendaron says 'Ah, surely my fame exceeds my deeds.
Nuitari
has always been my guide. With proper training
and direction, and a dedication
to the arts and his dark
highness, you can acheive the same things as I. Join
me,
this tower is stuffy and impersonal.' He gestures for
Xorn to follow
him.
Xorn again nods in agreement with Jendaron, picking up
the few
supplies around him. Standing he follows. "The
dark father is indeed wise
and guides us in destiny and
power. I am at your disposal my leige."
Jendaron says 'You see I didn't focus purely on
destruction with my magic. I
used it for my own ends as
well. There is much great power in magic, that can
do
more than just destroy or hurt. I have made millions of
gold coins in my
years. And I used that money to build a
tower in hommage not only to our dark
lord, but all the
lords of magic.' He continues 'Ahh, we are close now.'
He
looks high above through the trees at an onyx colored
tower and points. 'This
is my second home.'
A huge black tower reaches towards the heavens amidst
huge oak trees that seem to almost be alive. The trees
sway and creak though
no wind blows. Travelers often get
the feeling of eyes watching them not only
from the
forest but also from the tower itself. A feeling of
uneasiness
encompasses all who stand before the black
iron gates of this mysterious tower.
The path leading
towards the tower is a strange type of black gravel,
rarely
seen on Krynn. Huge walls encircle the entire
tower and stand nearly twenty
feet, with glowing onyx
spikes atop it every few feet. A feeling of
evil
permeates through the entire area, as a wolf howls deep
within the forest,
then the sound of a yelp and cry is
heard. Somehow, no matter the time of day,
the skies
always appear dark around the tower. The black gates
appear to have
no means of lock or guard but rather a
magical enchantment placed upon them
which enables
whoever owns this tower to allow invited travellers
inside while
keeping unwanted wanderers away. The tower
itself rises several hundred feet
into the air, with two
smaller towers on each side of it. The tower has no
windows except for one circular window barely visible
from the ground.
As
the apprentice follows the master through the forest,
he listens intently to
all is said, Xorn nods as the
grand mage speaks. Between phrases he speaks
near the
tower. "You are indeed wise. Wealth brings power as
well as the
magic."
Jendaron says 'Power, wealth, fame, infamy, glory,
wisdom.
The magic brings it all to us. If you are wise
enough that is, you cannot let
the magic take control of
your mind and your thoughts. I had days when I was
younger...' At this Jendaron shakes his head.'That is
another story for
another time, human. What do they call
you again human?'
You say 'I am
called Xorn. Simply Xorn. I no longer
have a need for a last name. That time
of my life
is..........long gone. I serve Nuitari and him alone,
and through
him......now you.'
Jendaron says 'Yes, indeed. I like that. Well Xorn,
there might be things in this tower that are shocking,
scary, suprising or
simply overwhelming to you. There are
thousands of years of magical knowledge
and power,derived
directed and collected inside these halls.'
Xorn nods
to Jendaron quietly in agreement and obedience.
"I trust you my leige. I
shall keep my emotions in
check. Lead the way into darkness. My heart and
mind
are open." And the master resonds.'Indeed. Then
onward we go.'
The entry of this tower is even more disturbing than the
gates that guard it.
Upon entering, the gates slam
quickly behind all travellers and the foyer
becomes
almost pitch black. Barely visible are several strange
arcane
artifacts on display atop several small shelves
that line the eastern and
western walls. Several small
magical rings, a blue-thread wound spellbook
and a
few small pouches of magical components sit atop
the eastern wall's shelf. On
the western wall however,
appear to be a small pile of ground bone
dust, a
large jar of a strange red glowing material, and
what appears to be the skull
of a small humanoid. There
are spiraling metal stairs on the northern side of
the
room that lead to the upper levels of the mysterious
tower. A single
picture on the eastern wall is the only
piece of art in the room. The picture
is one of an
intense young man with jet black hair and a long black
robe. The
darkness in the tower obscures the view of how
high up it truly goes. An
incredible feeling of
uneasiness overcomes all who enter this tower.
Jendaron closes the door and as he does it slams with a
violent echo of the
metal hitting the onyx.'This, is my
tower.'
Xorn scans the foyer of
the grand tower in amazement, and
yes, a little horror, but remains silent as
the master
speaks. He scans the artifacts present, and upon
noticing the
skull, a grin comes across his face.
Jendaron says 'We must not dally
though, you will find
out how precious my time is and eventually how much so
your own is.' The Master Mage walks towards the
stairwell and heads
upwards.
These metal stairs twist turn and creak with every step.
The
walls are smooth granite stone that appears to have
been washed with some sort
of black dye and polished
smooth to give them a strange glass like
radiance.
The stairs are made of a strange metal that seems pliable
and
dangerous. Likely to prevent groups of unwanted
travelers from ascending the
stairs together, for it
looks as though they could not support the weight of
more
than one or two bodies at a time. The stairs go high up
into the tower
leading to several sanctuaries and
libraries.
CONTINUED
Author:
Xorn
Date: Fri Mar 5 09:23:39 2010
Subject (RP) A
New Master And A Task (PT. 2)
Xorn responds as they walk, 'I can
appreciate...time my
lord. Time is indeed precious, and it slips away..so
quickly.'
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, there are three
obvious
paths visible. To the west there is a soft white
glow that radiates from an
unseen shrine. The soft glow
pours only into the entrance of the room and then
appears
to be swallowed by the darkness. To the east there is a
red glow that
is similar to the room to thewest.
Apparently another shrine dedicated to the
arts of the
magi. The flickering red lights are again devoured by the
darkness
that is encompassing this hallway. A small
trapdoor can be seen on the northern
side of the room in
the ceiling. It appears to be sealed however.
Jendaron
says 'To the east and west are chambers to
both Solinari and Lunitari, but
those places will be for
another visit. For now I will show you where I study
and
rest, as well as hold personal meetings. I keep the
entrance hidden to the
naked eye.' Jendaron speaks a
few indescernable words and opens a trapdoor.
A study chamber for the archmage contains several small
pieces of
furniture, a single bookshelf on the western
wall, and a moonstone desk resides
in the center of the
room. The walls of this room, similar to several other
rooms in the tower are a dark stone washed with a black
dye and smoothed and
polished repeatedly until a mirror
shine reflects any light off of them. There
is a small
cot in the eastern corner of the room, large enough for a
single
being, but small enough to be tucked away during
times of study and visitation.
On the northern wall there
is a stairwell up to a shrine. The evil aura that
permeates from the chamber above can be felt deep within
the heart of any who
stray to close to it. There is a
black "light" that pours into the quarters of
the
archmage, a contrast to the single circular window on the
southern wall,
the only window in the entire tower. The
desk in the center of the room is made
of a strange blue
-green stone that has apparent magical properties, it
glows
with a strange off-blue radiance. The magical auras
in this room and
enchantments of protection provide
safety to the archmage that calls this tower
home. A
strange glyph of warding can be seen on the ceiling, but
to the
untrained eye appears to be nothing more than an
ornate etching or design. This
is truly the room of a
dedicated magi.
At the mention of Solinari and
Lunitari, Xorn looks up as
if in deep in thought remembering something
troubling.
But he silently follows Jendaron into the study, nodding
and
looking about as they make thier way.
A moonstone desk in the middle of the
room provide a
place for study for the Archmage. Jendaron sits down at a
moonstone desk. 'This, is my study. Stand before my
desk apprentice and take
a seat.'
Xorn continues to look around as if in a daze for a
moment but
as the mage speaks, he comes too, walking to a
chair before the grand desk.
Sitting he remains silent.
Jendaron says 'You will thus forth be
recognized as my
apprentice.' Xorn responds 'It is an honor my leige.
I
shall be your vessel.' The master corrects the
apprentice 'You shall be
Nuitari's vessel. I will
merely prepare you thusly.'
Jendaron says
'You will have an assignment that will
show me your current preparation level
and knowledge of
the magical arts. As I am taking over your trainining in
a
non-traditional manor I will need a gauge of your
current progress. A simple
task I assure you, but one
that will teach you much about both magic
andyourself.'
Xorn again nods to Jendaron silently. He for the first
time really looks at his new master, but just for a
moment.
A cold and
bleak aura surrounds a black robed figure
standing roughly six feet tall. The
black robes are that
of the Conclave of Mages, the organization of High
Sorcery on Krynn. These robes however are somehow
darker than black, the evil
that eminates from the heart
of this man pales in comparison to the evils seen
since
the Great Cataclysm. There are golden and crimson
stitches along the
outer edges of the robes this man
wears, obviously enchantments placed upon
them.
Jendaron pulls his hood further over his face and says,
'Perhaps
someday you shall see my face apprentice, but
not yet. You will understand why,
when you do. But to the
task at hand. You are to gather nine magical items for
experimentation and education. Three wands, three staves
and three scrolls.
Potions will also work but you must
gather three different potions for each
item type you
replace. Basically potions are easier to find but will
teach you
less. For every one stave, wand or scroll you
find you could gather three
different potions instead.
Sounds simple enough I am sure, but I have a
condition.
These potions, they must not be clerical or healing type
potions,
and they must not be able to be purchased within
a store or apothecary, you
must find them out and about
in the world of Abanasia. Do you understand this
assignment, Apprentice?'
Xorn pulls a parchment and quill from the
satchel he
carries. After digging in the bag he finds a tin of ink,
and
begins to write upon the parchment. "Yes my Lord.
I take down notes. I will
not fail you or our God."
Jendaron says 'Indeed, then go forth and learn
both
about yourself and about the magic. Go forth, and Nuitari
be with you
apprentice. I will escort you out of the
tower.'
You say 'May the Dark
Father be with us all. May his
light shine upon us and radiate within our
souls.'
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Sun Mar
7 01:41:54 2010
Subject (RP) A Task, A Spell, And An Answered
Prayer.
The hour is late and the young apprentice sits at a desk
in the
tower of study. He holds a pendilum above a map
and with his eyes closed and
begins to chant in the
language of magic. "Es Du Meh. Katah Pre Shandai."
This whole floor is dedicated to higher learning in the
ways of spell craft.
Upon every shelf resides a book
with information on every spell a mage might
use. Each
section is based upon each sphere of spells.
'Nuitari Show
me the path. Show me the way. I am your
faithful servant. Give me the
knowledge. Give me a way
to understand my task.'
The high mage watches
the young mage closely at his task,
and listens to his prayer, raising an
eybrow.
Xorn continues, swinging the pendilum across the map that
is spread
across the table. "You delivered me from
death. You brought me into your
fold. I wish to please
you and my master that you have given me Jendaron.
Show
me! Es Du Meh. Katah Pre Shandai."
The stranger stands and walks
over to the young mage
looking down at the map and pendilum. 'Seems you are
having a bit of trouble young mage.'
As the elder comes to the table,
the apprentice open his
eyes, looking to the mage who has taken note. Xorn
grins
to the black robe as he speaks. "Yes..Trouble. I am an
unacceptable
sacrifice." With his words, he takes a
dagger, and cuts his hand, a stream of
blood pouring down
upon the map.
The masterwatches the young mage cut his
hand and the
blood begin to flow down onto the map, and shakes his
head.
'What is it you are hoping to accomplish, blood
sacrifice is not needed for
all things to work.'
Xorn takes the pendilum in hand again.'I am
frustrated
my liege. I have done as my master asked. And I
have.........gathered.'
The black robe looks at the young mage, "What
is it you
have gathered, something important for your master? What
is it he
seeks that you seem unable to find?"
"It should have been simple
brother. Three scrolls,
three wands, and three staves. The wand were
easy....'
Xorn sighs, and turns his attentions back to the spell he
is
attempting to cast.
He nods to the apprentice. 'And you cannot find
scrolls
That is your dilema?'
Xorn pulls several items from a bag of
holding, placing
them on the table. Several wands, several scrolls,
several
staves, and even some potions, and herbs.
The wizard asks, 'Or is it a
certain one he wishes you
to find?'
"I have travelled the world. My
master.....Jendaron, he
was specific. They could not be clerical. They had to
contain our magicks. I have killed, I have lied. I have
manipulated. And I
still come up short."
The black robe points around the room and says
'You try
too hard to find the things that are right in front of
you young
mage. Look around you young mage. What do you
see?'
'I learned alchemy
my lord. A.........long time ago.
Buy someone who now still lives but does
not........live.
She was my mentor before........I came to understand
Nuitari's plan for me and us all.' Xorn sighs again
heavily, before
continuing with the newcomers train of
thought. "Is it cheating?..........to
have them made?"
The man raises an eyebrow and asks. 'Is it cheating to
have them made? Is it cheating to steal them off the
corpse on an innocent. I
trust your master did not tell
you how it was you were to acquire said
items?'
'I followed his words to the letter. Perhaps......oh
no I am
still quite new at this, although......quite old
at this as well. I should
not speak. You are a master,
and I am but a novice. But
perhaps........yes.....'
Xorn looks to the map and the blood and the
pendilum.
"I summoned help to find the last of this collection.
Perhaps
Nuitari and his wisdom.......sent you to me."
The robed man slowly
states 'Perhaps in the end he did.
But then you have not told me exactly what
it is you
seek. And I must tell you now everything comes with a
price.'
'Of course it does. But before we speak of prices and
bargains. Might I
know you name Master? I am called
Xorn.'
The master retorts, 'My name
is of little importance as
to this matter. When the time comes for you to pay
said
price, then you will know my name.'
'That is fair enough. I wish
to complete what I have
been given. If you are the answer to my prayers so be
it.'
The man nods at the young mage before he speaks. 'So
tell me
what you seek. And if indeed Nuitari has brought
me back into these halls for
that purpose I will do what
I can.'
'I have gathered the wands. Actually
I have gathered
more than required. But I wish to impress my master. I
have
gathered two of the three staves he required, and I
have gathered two of the
three scrolls he required as
well. I have travelled all over Ansalon, but now I
am at
a loss. He said I could replace some with potions, which
I have. But I
am still lacking.' Xorn slams his hand
down upon the map in disguist, and
takes the pendilum and
wraps it around his neck.
The Black Robed master
chuckles at the mage.
'Failure is not......an option. We don't
try.....we
do. That is what seperates us from the white and red.'
The
wizard slowly states 'Be at ease young Xorn. I can
indeed help you. If all
you require is a scrolls those
are easily enough made.'
He pulls a few
scrolls from an ornate case and places
them on the table in front of the
apprentice. Standing
he speaks. 'From here until the day I require payment
you no longer know me. You haven't seen me. If asked the
scrolls were left on
this desk after your prayer to
Nuitari.'
Xorn nods in acquiensce.
"Your will be done in this
matter then." The apprentice looks over the
scrolls, an
evil grin coming over his face. And as the mage stands
Xorn looks
deeply at him for a moment.
Long straight black hair, pours down over broad
shoulders, like shining silk. Dark eyes, peer out of an
oval face, with a
slender nose and mouth. A black robe,
etched with silver runes, and tied at the
waist with a
thin gold chain, covers a slender six foot frame, and
silver
tipped boots peek outfrom underneath.
The master nods at the young mage
as he returns his quill
and bottle of ink to his pack and he walks away through
the halls and vanishes into thin air.
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Sun Mar 7 02:19:21 2010
Subject (RP) A Word Given. A
Word Recieved. (PT. 1)
Xorn enters the temple, looking to the right and
left as
he does. He does not notice the man there at first, but
the raven
flying about. Sending a greeting with a
hand, he smiles and rests.
The
raven flaps a lazy circle around the temple, than
lands on a man's shoulder and
seems to mutter in his ear.
The mage nods and stands to walk towards the man
that had
entered. He leans heavily on his grey staff.
Xorn continues
into the temple again looking around as
the bird comes to rest upon the man's
shoulder. Muttering
under his breath he speaks. "Tahkisis, always
Tahkisis. She is the dominate evil, but Nuitari holds the
real power."
Black marble pillars reach up into the jagged outlined
dome at the center of
the temple. Torches burn in pairs
on each, reflected by the smooth polished
black marble
floor. A large stained glass window rises almost 50
feet off the
floor and almost 20 feet in width, depicting
the Dark Queen encompassing Krynn.
A Large granite altar
resides infront of the window, its corners burning an
eerie blue flame. Along the edges of the room are
sacrifice tables, each with
its own instruments and
dressing.
The man with the bird slowly states
'One always assumes
to know the gods. The mage raises his head and looks at
the man, smiling. My elven ears hear a lot.' With this
he pushes back his
hood to reveal himself as an elf.
The man continues closer to the elf with the
raven,
looking to the bird, and staring deep into it's eyes,
before sizing up
his master finally. "Apparantly, I
tire of the same old same old. There
is.......more."
Taking a moment, he looks over the individual thourougly.
The elf is an average height but has quite a slender
build. His light brown
hair is pulled back into a pony-
tail and falls out from underneath a black cowl
that is
pulled low over his face. Almost nothing of his face can
be seen
except a scar under his left eye. The cloak that
the cowl is part of is plain
on the outside, but closer
inspection shows ruins stitched into the inside of
it. He
wears a grey, loose fitting, shirt with a black vest over
it. His black
pants are tucked into tall, scuffed and
worn, black boots. On the elven belt he
wears around his
waist hang many pouches containing his spell components.
Also
on his belt he has two wands and a dagger with a
black blade, with intricate
runes engraved in it, and a
blood-ruby is set into the pommel. Across his
shoulder is
a satchel that holds his scrolls, potions and spellbook
and he
holds a grey staff with black runes that run the
length of it.
The elf
grins, 'Someone I might want to talk to.' The
elf looks at the man's
belongings, and his grin grows
larger, 'A mage I see. Tell me, have you come
for the
glory of catching a renegade?'
'You were already let go. You
were already captured.
If I wanted to snare you again. I would just unleash
the
magic and make the attempt. No......I just care to talk
Are you willing
to have..........discussion?'
The renegade taps his finger on his chin,
'And I am
sure it will not be my last time sitting in that dungeon,
but I
certainly hope it will be. And I suppose I could
hold a discussion? First tell
me, have you passed the
test?'
Xorn does the same thing, he taps his
fingers upon his
chin, before answering. "The test will not be a
problem. I
have not taken it, but I am the apprentice to
the head of the conclave. He is
teaching me well."
Xorn again looks to the bird, and it looks to him in
kind. They both nod to each other before Nestos speaks
again.
The elf
mage breaks the silent nodding, 'Jendaron is
your master, huh? Yes, he would
have me take the test
again if I rejoined the conclave. Oh, excuse me, please
sit.' He motions towards a bench on the wall of the
temple.
Xorn
walks to the place the elf suggests, and sits, but
his eyes do not leave the
raven on the elf's shoulder.
He places his weapons at his waiste to the floor,
in a
show of peace. "There will not be violence this night
Elf. Just
discussion."
The renegade says 'I hope you will excuse me if I do
not do
the same. It is a pain to retrieve them." He
looks to his leg. "Plus, these
are nothing of
consequence." He indicates the staff and dagger.
"Anyway,
do you find my familiar interesting?"
'A familiar you begged for.
And A God answered your
prayers friend. He sent me to tell you.......who!'
Xorn smiles as he drops more weapons to the ground on the
bench, even dropping
the belt with spell components. "I
am unarmed my friend. We are free to
talk. Nothing
more."
The mage gets a look of slight anger in his eyes,
"It
was not a familiar I begged for. I wanted only to be rid
of that bloody
forest. Sitharnos was sent to me as a
guide and I took him as my familiar.
Forgive me," The
elf says with a smile returning to his face, "I know
who
it is that sent him. Probably more than you, though I
do not doubt your words.
So please, speak them in
peace."
Xorn smiles to the raven first and then to
the elf.
"You were desperate. You called upon the powers that
be. And one
answered. I was once like you elf. I was in
doubt. I ran from the
moons..........and I was given
grace."
The elf's smile quickly turns
to a grin, "So, it is
capture that you come here for. Jendaron spoke of the
same thing when he came to me when I sat, rotting, in his
dungeon. It is
appropriate you are his apprentice. And I
will tell you what it is I told him,
the moons have not
turned on me, it was the Conclave."
'It does not
have to be. And by the way. I am called
Xorn. If we are to parley what shall
I call you elf?'
The renegade answers thoughtfully 'It would seem you
know more than you let on. I fear the position has
changed from what I
normally am in. My name, I am sure it
is already known to you, but Nestos. And
it is a pleasure
to meet you, Xorn." And with this he bends in a mocking
bow.
'And for the record, The Conclave nor my master
Jendaron, knows
I have approached you. I come in one
name only. And you know his name. Dont
you?'
Nestos slowly states 'Ah, but there are many names, are
there
not? He smiles wrily at his evasion.
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sun Mar 7 02:23:33 2010
Subject (RP) A Word
Given. A Word Recieved. (PT. 2)
Xorn again points to the raven on
Nestos's shoulder. And
laughs wildly. "If you want a name......ask your
guide
from the forest. You are the one who asked, and you are
the one
who.....recieved."
Nestos turns to the bird and asks in a mocking tone,
"What name is it that he speaks of?" The bird mutters
something in his
ear. Nestos laughs and the raven's
quorks seem to come out as laughs as well.
'I could share with you a tale.......Something that
will send shivers up
your spine. I also once ran. I also
thought that freedom was a price to pay.
But he always
catches up with us.'
The dark elf grins, "Do tell...just
let me sit
first." Then he sits on the bench next to Xorn.
"I was
born before the cataclysm. This is something I
do not usually share, but I see
in you a kindred spirit.
I was raised a renegade. I ran for years. And it
almost
destroyed me. Then........he came to me in the darkest
hour. He saved
me. Do you see any correlation?"
Nestos retorts 'Correlations yes,
but you were raised a
renegade and I was created one. He did save me, and yet I
am still not in the Conclave. Do you see the
correlation?'
Xorn pauses a
moment before answering. "He sent you the
way. Your.......familiar is
devoted to you......But he
was sent by the Dark Father. Sent to lead you out
of
darkness. And into your......destiny."
Nestos says 'Oh the
Ungod!' He turns to the raven
'You lied to me my friend.' Turning back to
Xorn with
a grin he continues. 'Yes, I know and it is in to the
darkness
that he beckons me. I fear you have been
speaking with Solinari, my friend.'
Nestos snickers
softly.
At the mention of Solinari, Xorn spits upon the
ground in
diguist, obviously revolted. "Stop playing games
Nesto!. There is
but one God of magic, and you know his
NAME!"
The renegade is obviously
pleased that he got a rise out
the Xorn. 'Dear friend, you mustn't lose your
composure
if you are to sway one to the Conclave. How would that
look to those
that are actually thinking about it?'
Nestos grins widely again and points
around the temple,
'And I would keep your voice down as well, the priest
are
not fans of yelling. Further, you are standing in the
temple of the most
powerful. Her son, true is the most
powerful of the gods of magic, but he still
grants me his
power as I worship his mother.' Nestos grin grows
beyond the
boundaries of his mouth as he rises. 'So do
tell me, why would I go back to
The Conclave when the
world is what is promised to those that follow the
Dragonqueen?'
'I didn't come to ask you to join The Conclave silly
elf.
If I came in the Conclave's name, you would already
be my slave. I came only in
'His' name. I serve him and
him alone. The conclave is a bi-product.' Xorn
points
to the raven resting on the elf's shoulder, and as he
does it flies
from Nestos to Xorn, resting upon his
shoulder. "Nuitari giveth and he taketh
away. He is
patient and he forgives....to an extent. I was sent to
give you
his word. Nothing more. Run from the Conclave
if that is your desire. But
know who is you Lord? Do you
understand?'
Nestos smiles a surprisingly
disarming smile, "He
certainly does. I have known the power of all three gods
of magic. I know who is the most powerful. The
Nightreaver has given to me,
and he has not taken away. I
have not strayed from his sight since he revealed
himself
to me." Nestos looks to the raven, which immediately
takes flight
into the rafters of the temple. "Do not
think for a second I do not know the
extent of his power.
He has given it to me and it will not be you that comes
and takes it. Do not think that you are the only one in
the room devout to
him, my friend. It is just his mother
that has the power over the world, and it
is her who I
worship for matters not pertaining to magic." As he
grins at
Xorn and the raven comes down to his shoulder
and mutters another something
into his ear.
'You are a wizard Nestos. You might serve the Dark
Queen. But
you serve her through her son. Your prayers
might have been answered by
Tahkisis, but they were
manifested by her Son. You are a mage and you will
always be goverened by the Devouring Dark. Do what you
will, but know this,
Nuitari is in control Join her
army. Do the Dark Lady's will, but in the end
you answer
to the Black Moon' Xorn again points to the raven,
"When you
called to the Gods in the forest 'HE' is the
one who answered."
The dark
elf responds 'I do not think I have said
otherwise. I would be a cleric of
the Dark Queen if it
was her who gave me my powers. My friend, I think we
argue the same thing in different words. We followers of
the Ungod must stick
together. It is this type of
miscommunication that has us at each other's
throats all
the time. I have said no wrong about our god. He has done
right by
me and I thank him for it. It is The Conclave
that does folly in his name, and
the other two for that
matter, that angers me and that lead to my
expulsion.'
'Nuitari saved me from the cataclysm. He transfered me
through time and space. His condition? I serve him with
my whole heart. I
see you do the same Nestos. The
Conclave will not understand this however.'
Nestos says 'So, indeed we do speak the same truth with
different words.
Than it will not come to blows.' The
elf smiles and loosens his grip on his
staff 'You had
me worried there for a second. And you have my word, I
have
not turned my back on him and will not.'
'He told me to come to you in
truth alone. No blows,
only an understanding. You belong to him. He answered
your prayer in the forest. He sent you your new guide,
and he will propel you
into your destiny. You might not
wear the black robes, but He understands your
heart. Do
his will in all things. I cannot protect you from the
others. But
nor will I betray you either.'
Nestos says 'But truly, come share a pint
with me and
we can talk more about your time. The cataclysm, huh? Was
it all,
fire and brimstone?' The renegade elf smiling
yet another wry smile.
Xorn stands and laughs, nodding to the elf. "A drink
yes. That sounds good.
I will tell you about Tarsis,
when the ocean still carried our wonderous navy,
and
Ansalon was whole....Different than today, but in many
ways
quite.........the same........"
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Sun Mar 14 09:05:57 2010
Subject (RP) Midnight In The
Garden Of Good And Evil (PT 1)
Darkness falls upon Wayreth Forest, and
two of the three
moons rise. Not yet full. The red and white, waxing
shed
thier light upon the courtyard, as Xorn exits the
black tower into the
courtyard. He pauses a moment,
searching before entering. Seeing someone near
the
center, he looks the woman up and down, as if committing
her form to
memory. He nods to himself or someone else
and sits on one of the stone benches
around the spring of
water.
A lightly tanned woman with pointed ears and long
hair of
a golden white stands here whispering towards the white
moon. Unlike
most mages that worship Solinari she doesn't
wear robes. A swathe of white snow
leopard fur is tightly
bound around her well proportioned breasts showing off
her inticing cleavage. A loincloth of the same fur hangs
from her waist
reaching just above her knees. Her shapely
and well toned legs can be seen
flexing as she walks
around her surroundings listening to the whispers of the
skies and plains. A sash made from what seems to be the
tail of a black
panther holds the loincloth in place and
many pouches made from interlocking
Tylor scales are
bound to it. The scent of many spell components drift
about
her seductive form, bringing to mind a cross
between a stuffy labratory and the
wide open plains of
dust. As her glance returns from the heavens
glimmering
eyes of deep violet scan those around her with a look of
intelligence and suspicion. Attached to her right wrist
is an intricate
harness containing a silver dagger
encrusted with diamonds and emeralds.
Kah looks up as a man enters and takes a seat near the
water.
Xorn
looks up to the sky, seaching forsomething..unseen,
and having endured the
uncomfortable silence long enough,
gives a smile to the pretty lady. 'A nice
night to
enjoy the moons and perhaps....company?'
Kah closes the book and
slides it into the swirling sands
beneath her, looking at the man questioningly
as she does
so. 'It is always nice to enjoy company. May I ask
your name
young magi?' She stands up and steps from the
dervish and walks towards the
man. The sand disapates
leaving no trace of it, nor the book that had been
stored
within.
Xorn hunkers down, relaxing on the bench, and placing a
very black leather bag next to him. "My name is Xorn,
my lady. And you
might be?" He again stares at her
with piercing ice blue eyes, and then he
simply smiles, a
warm look on his expression.
Kah says 'I am High
Archmage Kah'rihn. Mistress of the
sands. May I join you?' She gestures
towards an empty
spot on the bench next to the man.
With her greeting, and
title, the apprentice looks
slightly sheepish, looking down a moment, but he
looks up
just as quickly. He nods to the woman, and even demurs.
"It would
be an honor."
Kah sits down next to the mage, her slender form resting
gracefully upon the smooth stone. 'So what brings you
to the courtyard at
such late hours Apprentice?'
'I could not sleep. I have always
followed more the
moons.......than the sun. This is the time to be alive.
Can you hear the crickets and the frogs? Many worship
the night.'
Kah
says 'The night brings out good hunting.'
'It also brings out
peace.......and solitude. And it
brings........the moons, and what they
represent.'
Kah looks to the sky, her gaze following the white moon's
graceful accent, her mind drifting off to fond memories
of the open plains of
dust. 'I always find it easier to
work during the late hours. More
productive energy.'
'Mine is absent tonight. But he will return. And
even
when he is gone from the sky. He is always there.'
Kah looks the
young man over trying to see something in
his demeanor. 'One day when you
have learned more and
taken your test you will notice the moons never leave the
skies. Even when the sun is out they can be found within
the heavens.'
Xorn grins as the woman studies him. "Yes, I am not of
your order. When I
speak of 'him', I speak of another.
However, we all serve magic, and I find
this courtyard a
blessing. There are no politics, no right or wrong,
just
the magic."
Kah says 'I may lead the Whites, but don't get me wrong
I
hold no predjudice against the followers of the dark
moon.'
'Jendaron
speaks.......highly of you. You have taken
the mantle of leadership that
was.........forgotten and
abandonded by your predecessor.'
Kah says
'My order needed direction and action. I
could not stand by and watch them
dwindle and die out to
leave the teachings of Solinari from the world.'
Xorn cackles to the sky, laughing with abandon. "As
well you should. Your
order was dying, and needed repair.
I am not a virgin to the doctrine of
balance. I know it
all to well. He takes a flask of wine from another bag
at
his side. "Would you care for a drink."
Kah says 'I never drink
anything without knowing what
it is first.'
'It is wine sweety. Nothing
more, nothing less. I
would not attempt to poison you on these grounds. If
you
are unsure, simply identify the substance.'
Kah says 'I do not
fear you poisoning me. I just have
finicky tastes when it comes to what I
drink.' She
takes the flask and swallows down a few mouthfuls before
handing
it back. 'Good vintage. Silvanost Best 120 PC.
Very rare to say the
least.'
Xorn smiles and takes the flask, gulping down a few
draughts
himself. "Satisfying is it not? The best
Silvinost has to offer. And
especially in..........these
times.'
Kah asks 'So how did you come
across such a marvelous
find?'
Xorn waits a very long moment, again his
gaze goes to the
sky, and a look of question comes upon him. He turns to
the
woman, the High mage of the White Robes."I came
from......somewhere else."
Kah asks 'Somewhere.. else?'
'Sometime..........else would be more
accurate I
suppose. He told me I would meet you. And he told me to
disclose
this.'
Kah sits up a little more straight, gazing at the man
questioningly.
Xorn points to the sky and simply stares back to the High
Mage.
Kah says 'I understood the "he", it was the sometime
that is
eluding my understanding.'
'I was told.....we would become in contact.
I was also
told to tell you the truth. I came from the past
to the
future.'
translated if you will. He brought me from the past
to the
future.'
Nodding, Kah says 'That would explain the fresh taste
of the
wine.'
'It is an........offering of peace? I do not know. I
would
not have anything to do with you, if it was not His
will. But HE willed it.
And so I share myself, and my
wine.'
Again the High mage nods,'Yes, I
see that we would not
have much dealings were the hands of Gods not involved.'
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sun Mar
14 09:12:41 2010
Subject (RP) Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil (PT
2)
Xorn hands the wineskin back to the White Robe. "This
is all there
is, so enjoy it. It is my offering. And
yes he told me I would meet you,
although I thought I
would be meeting you in robes. But since I am not in
robes, it is only fitting. I have more knowledge than
most here know. I keep
that back. I wish to impress my
master and.......I shall.'
Kah takes
the wineskin and drains it of the sweet liqour,
handing the empty container to
the man. 'I am sure you
will. You master is a good man, regardless of the
robes
he wears. And I have never worn robes, they are way too
restrictive
when on the hunt.'
'Politcal power matters not to me. I serve the
Devouring Dark, and him alone. Real power comes from the
God's and not man
and the institutions they have put in
place. This place is only a way to serve
them. He told me
you would understand.'
Kah says 'Our role is only to
serve our moons and bring
their knowledge to the world.'
'You are as
devoted to Solinari as I am to Nuitari.'
Kah again nods. 'I have a
feeling I know Nuitari's
reasoning for sending you my way as well.'
'The three moons always agree on one principal. The
knowledge. They
disagree on how it becomes known.'
And in that regard, they are alone, away
from the other
Gods.' And when the other God's left mortals. They
remained
with us.'
Kah says 'They wouldn't have it any other way.
Seperate from
the others, together in the magic.'
'And now Tahkisis and Paladine have
left the heavens,
and have come to the world. He told me this would happen,
and he told me to come now, to the tower. I thought it
was just to take the
test, but now I understand. There
was more to his plan.'
Kah says
'Troubling times are ahead of us. How do you
think I am part of his plan?'
'You have a problem don't you? Something you don't
understand?'
Smiling, Kah says 'I believe you just confirmed my
suspicions on what your
master desires of me. Being one
to compromise with the powers of magic I feel I
can trust
you with my dilema.' Reaching into a blue scaled pouch
at her side
she pulls out a small obsidean mirror and
hands it to the man.
Xorn
smiles, his grin now becoming quite evil, revealing
his true nature for the
first time. "My master desires
you sweety.....But he will take what he can
get. Your
Disir problem..........yes." He takes the mirror in
hand, and
studies it a long moment.
Kah says 'The mirror will show the memory of
the vision
shown to me by Solinari, but it sounds as if Nuitari has
shown you
the same.'
Xorn looks deeply into the mirror, and it flashes from
white, to
red, to black, and so do Xorn's eyes as he
looks. The magic fades and he hands
the mirror back to
Kah. 'Apparantly they all agree. I will tell you what I
know.'
Kah places the mirror back within the pouch. 'Yes I had
my
theories that the relics within the caves belong to
all the gods of magic.'
'They do. However Solinari rules it. But why then is
there an
abomination in control of the place eh?'
Kah says 'It is a question
I hope to discover the
answer once my apprentices finish the tasks given them.'
Xorn closes his eyes a long moment and begins chanting in
a language
long forgotten even to modern mages. 'Give
me a moment White Robe.'
Kah
nods.
Xorn continues to chant, his voice getting louder and
louder as
if calling something or someone. An amulet of
Emerald and Gold around his neck
begins to glow a sickly
green color, illuminating him. And suddenly a lich
rises
from the ground in physical form. "Isaldora, I would
not ask you to
come, but we need an answer."
Kah looks at the lich with wonder. For an
apprentice,
this young man had extraordinary talent to be able to
summon such
an undead so easily.
The lich looks to Xorn and then to the White Robe
with
question. "You picked a fine time to call me Xorn. I
hope the amulet I
gave you has served you well!" The
undead laughs, and looks around the
courtyard, her hollow
eyes expressing disdain.
'Yes Izzy.
It.........served me well. I overcame my
obstacles.........And now I serve
Him. You always knew,
didn't you. It was part of the plan......was it not.'
Kah looks at the lich hovering inches above the ground an
absent look upon its
face as its lips moved wordlessly.
The lich looks over the woman, but
stops, turning her
attention back to Xorn. "Why have you summoned me, and
especially here?" Xorn simply nods to her. "I am to
help this woman and We
need and answer. What are the
Disir?"
The Lich responds. "They were
dwarves. They turned to
dark magic during the time of fire. They turned to
Morigon and became.........changed, in many ways like me.
They gave up their
former lives, and turned to a new form
of.....death and decay. It is thier
essence."
Kah asks 'So the creature I saw in the vision is one of
the
undead?'
The lich hisses at Kah in anger, but turns back to Xorn.
"You
summon me for THIS?" She looks around, her body
convorting as she does.
"They are not undead Xorn, not
like me. But he turned them..........changed
them. The
Black Wind gave them a form that could survive."
'They
turned to someone who would hear thier cries. And
apparantly he listened.'
Kah nods and says 'Interesting.'
'White Robe she will not lie.
She only exists
to...exist. And she turned to Chemosh. Didn't you
Isaldora?
That is why you sent me away all of those
years ago.'
Kah says 'I do not
question her honesty. But, how does
this help with my problem.'
The
lich nods to Xorn. "They are turned. They are
cannibals. They are followers
of carrion. They worship
Morigon and him alone. And to converse with one of
thier
cursed race is to invite thier hunger. This is all I know
about them. As
for the temple you search for. Look near
the skull. And Xorn, the amulet only
holds so many
charges. Do not summon me again for such a trivial
manner."
Kah looks at the skeletal mage with scorn 'Tempermental
hag.'
The
lich simply dissolves into the ground, leaving a
pussy residue. "I have done
what I can." Xorn looks
to the ghastly resudie with a look of shame
and...sadness. 'She was all I knew. She taught me more
than.....any of you
could ever. I asked her only because
I was told to help solve your
problem.'
Kah says 'I am sorry you lost a friend over my
account.'
'She is gone. She died and I did not. She gave her soul
to Chemosh. I did not. I was saved and she was not. Do
not be sorry. You have
information. Do you not?'
Kah says 'Thank you very much. It will help
when the
time comes to confront this thing.'
'And do with it what
you will. I have done what my God
has asked of me. As for what resources I
have. That is
between us presently........correct?'
Kah says 'I am
grateful to you and your patron. And
your secrets are your business and not
mine to tell.'
'I will help your problem. Call me when I am
needed.'
Kah says 'I will do that. It was pleasant couple on
this fine
evening. Farewell.'
Xorn walks from the courtyard and into the black
tower,
never looking back.
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Tue Mar 16 17:49:24 2010
Subject (RP) The Quill Is
Mightier Than The Sword.
The dark moon rises high into the heavens,
full in majesty, and Xorn walks
up the spiral staircase to the very top of the
black tower. Upon reaching
the door to the highmaster's chambers, he pauses
for several minutes in a
moment of self introspection. He knocks upon the door,
and a spectral
appears suddenly, opening it, and ushering him in. The room is
quite dark,
but Jendaron sits at a table, a lamp barely illumination him.
Jendaron says 'I recieved your note that you had completed your task, and
a
taskmage of mine delivered me the items you sent for me. A very
interesting
selection of magical items indeed. You did well young magi.'
Xorn nods to
his master, bowing in reverence, but remaining silent as
Jendaron speaks. He
simply nods and smiles to his words.
Jendaron says 'I waited to beckon
for you because I wanted to allow you
time to reflect on the magic you had
discovered and to allow you to learn
more about yourself. So, what have you
learned apprentice'
Xorn pauses a long moment before answering, looking up
as if to phrase his
response carefully. "I've learned that magic can be found
in the most
unexpected places, and is stored and wielded by those you least
expect.
Also...I learned to rely on my wits and intellect and not just arcana.
Magic does not always solve all problems. You must be resourceful as
well."
Jendaron nods and continues, 'You have made a wise statement
indeed young
apprentice. That actually brings me to my next topic for your
preparation.
Most magi will find themselves able to absorb magic quickly, the
more they
study and learn. True dedication to the language, both written and
oral of
magic is the way to master it. But the magic can not protect you in all
instances.'
Jendaron sits back in his chair, his hooded face becoming
only slightly
visible allowing you to see him mouth the words 'How good are
you with a
dagger?'. The words ring in Xorn's ears and in his thoughts as he
ponders.
Xorn nods, a slight smile and a knowing looking in his
expression. "I can
use them, yes. However I prefer a staff."
Something
resembling two powerful hands pushes Ciskei back through the
door! A spectral
guardian says 'You cannot be in here, the master would
not be happy with
that!'
Jendaron says 'The staff is a weapon of preparation, the dagger
however
is a cunning and sly weapon.'
Xorn lifts the bottom of his robe
up past his knee, revealing a leg sheath,
with a dagger strapped to it.
"Yes, it is always best to have a few
surprises up your........robe."
Jendaron says 'When your life is in danger, and the words escape your
thoughts, your hand can still reach for a dagger. I would like you to train
not only with your spear but also with a dagger to better protect yourself
in
various situations you might find yourself in. I also want you to
practice in
other various methods of using magic.'
Xorn nods to his master and smiles.
"I shall go and do whatever you wish
my leige. I am yours to command."
Jendaron says 'Certainly you have begun to master the means to speak the
magic, but I would like you to learn to read it so efficiently that even
unknown spells would make sense to you. The ability to read and write magic
are paramount to your success in the future. Thus I would like you to
practice
scribing and reciting scrolls until you are ready. You will know
when this is
and you will come to me, at which point I will test you to see
if you are
finished with this task.'
Xorn looks around the blackened room as his
master dictates his
instruction, but listens intensly. He again nods in
acquiesence to
Jendaron. "This shall be of greatest priorty then. I will
spend my time
in the library, perfecting this art."
Jendaron says
'Indeed. Be of utmost haste apprentice because when you
have completed this
task you will be nearly prepared for the Test of High
Sorcery. I am excited for
you to finish the test, I have great plans for
you if you are interested. You
could end up working directly with me with
tasks of importance to the entire
Conclave itself. I hand select who I
teach as only the brightest and highest
potential students. You have
excelled even under my tutilege so thusly you will
be of great use to the
me. You will continue to learn past your test, the magic
of thousands of
years of knowledge.'
At the mention of the Test, a gleam
of.....glee comes into Xorn 's eyes.
And at his master's next words, the gleam
become fullfledged....desire.
"I wish to serve you and our God in any manner
I may."
Jendaron says 'That is, of course, if that is what you wish.
You could
always become a common conjurer or enchanter.' Jendaron nods slowly
and
leans forward in his chair. 'I have a serious question for you
apprentice.'
'Being common is something.......detestable. Greatness
awaits those who
devote themselves to Nuitari. And I am an open book to you
my leige. I
will answer honestly.'
Jendaron says 'You are around the
common grounds and areas of the Tower
much more oft than I. Typically I spend
most of my time in my own tower and
merely visit Wayereth once a day to make
rounds and check on various
things. Are things going as you think they should
throughout the halls? I
have heard rumors of things opposite to what I
expect.'
Xorn pauses a long moment before answering, again looking as
though he is
coming up with just the right words. "The white robe numbers are
growing.
Thier new leader is practical, even compromising.....However, there
is
much fighting between the orders......especially with some of the red
robes. There is one who might be swayed to our......position. His thirst
for
blood is........quite emmence.'
Jendaron says 'Indeed, as much as I had
heard and expected about the
fighting. I will be more present to try to
counteract these things,
infighting within the order is not a good way to
develop the Conclave as a
whole. But for now you must go forth and do your
work, I will begin to
prepare for your Test of Sorcery.'
'It is
important to project unity to the outside world as well. Else,
others will
exploit these riffs.'
Jendaron nods and says 'Indeed, the renegades and
dragonarmies always
search for weaknesses within our order.'
Xorn grins
again, and nods in agreement with his master. He picks up his
black leather
bag, inscribed with runes, and bows to Jendaron. "I will
contact you when I
have completed this next stretch of destiny. I am very
blessed to have you as
master."
Jendaron bows before Xorn. 'Until we meet again,
apprentice.'
'May the black light of the Devouring Dark shine upon you,
and the entire
world.'
Jendaron says 'Nuitari be with you.'
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Mar 20 15:33:24
2010
Subject (RP) Black, White, With A Hint Of Grey. (Pt. 1)
Not
long after the sun has set upon the Plains of Dust, but before the
moons begin
to rise, a shadow in the corner of the inn distorts and twists.
It seems to
become blacker, darker, as it begins to swirl unnaturally.
Suddenly a figure
rises from its center, composed of the same darkness at
first, but then
becoming more and more......human. Xorn looks around the
inn and takes in the
scenery.
There is surely no match for the fun and merriment to be had here.
Good
people from across Abanasinia travel across the New Sea to this
historic
destination. The Inn, built long ago, houses any and all who come to
pay
with good money. Absolutely no one is excluded from the confort
and
hospitality that this Inn has to offer. Primarily run by humans, they
seem
to prefer to have a liking to everyone, since you see an assortment
of
races, including half elves and gully dwarves serving the populace of
the
Inn. There is surely no match for the fun and merriment to be had here.
Good people from across Abanasinia travel across the New Sea to this
historic
destination. The Inn, built long ago, houses any and all who come
to pay with
good money. Absolutely no one is excluded from the comfort and
hospitality that
this Inn has to offer. Primarily run by humans, they seem
to prefer to have a
liking to everyone, since you see an assortment of
races, including half elves
and gully dwarves serving the populace of the
inn.
The sounds of laughter
and cheer float about the common room of the Sand
and Stone, as Kah'rihn the
High Archmage dances and sings within the center
of the patrons. The Inn is
full of all kinds of people, and Xorn looks
harshly at all of them, before
picking out a spot to settle.
The white fur of Kah'rihn's loincloth flares as
she swings her hips in
rythm of the song. "The shivering sands speak of times
long past... Times
of dragons! Times of fear..."
Xorn notices the
woman, but turns on his stool to the bartender. "Give me
a howling moons."
He turns back to the woman in the dance, and smiles,
again turning back to the
bartender. "Make that.....two."
Singing with the energy and glow that
only pride in one's home can stir,
Kah'rihn brings her song to its climatic
conclusion "The shivering sands
speak of times long past... Times of Freedom!
Times of peace..."
Xorn takes the two doubles from the barkeep, and
stands......clapping to
the woman who wearhunteress garb. He cheers her on in
bravado, while most
the crowd remains silent. "Bravo my Lady. At least you
dance with
purpose!. The rest of these fools have no understanding."x The man
with
ice blue eyes, lifts one of the two glasses to the beutiful woman, and
simply winks. "The most excellent Kah'rihn, you should join me in a
drink.
To dance is to invite.....company." Xorn simpy places his
cocktail on the
bar.
Kah smiles at the man in black robes she had met the other night in the
courtyards within the tower of wayreth. 'Ah. Xorn, a pleasure to see you
out
here in the out of the way environs.' She walks over to the man and
takes a
seat at a table he moved to.
Xorn smiles back to the very attractive
woman. He sets down his drink, and
picks up the extra he ordered, handing it
to the dancing woman. "A
double, for a double...beauty? Are
we.....friends?.......or something
different away from the tower. I do know
the rules. There is nothing
stopping you from annihaliting me here and now."x
Taking the glass of alchohol Kah'rihn tips the glass and downs the drink in
one swallow. Looking at the dark mage quizzically she says 'I believe
that
is up to you young man. Unless you are planning on doing something I
would
have to stop, we are fine. She shrugs as she places the empty glass
upon the
table. 'We are both children of the moons. I say working
together gets more
results. Don't you?'
Xorn giggles to her, and reciprocating, downs the
glass of spirits. He
nods to a wench and reaches into a pouch procuring,
several coins.
"Another round please." Helooks deeply at the white mage.
Kah says 'So Xorn, what brings you out here to the far reaches of the
Plains
of Dust?'
Xorn looks all around, and specially to some of the crowd
gathered.
'I was born in Tarsis, but my family would come here on holiday,
or
sometimes for the summer. This was before it was dust. At one time it
was......quite beautiful. It was a second home.' He looks around the
place,
as if looking into the past.
Kah says 'I too call this place home.'
'I wished to stop along my way back to the forest. For memory's sake if
nothing else.'
Kah slowly states 'And it is still beautiful...'
'And here of all places..........I find you again.'
Kah says 'Yes,
funny how things work out.'
The wench returns with two more rounds of
spirits, and rests them upon the
table. Xorn tips her generously, but his gaze
never leaves the huntress.
'This used to be grassland. It supported all kinds
of life. The elves
wandered this land. Tarsis to the south, was rich and
diverse. Now it is a
wasteland.'
Kah says 'Yes, I have heard stories
from the elders of my families. My
mother's father lived through the times of
Balif the great elf general.'
Xorn shakes his head, and takes the next round
delivered by the wench in
hand. "I feel......fortunate I missed the
desolation. I am fortunate
that Nuitari brought me forth to this time." He
raises the glass and
drinks. 'Yes......elves live much longer, but they
progress so much
slowly.'
Drinking the glass empty before placing it
back on the table, Kah'rihn says
"They do, and having their blood, made
living within this environ much
easier."
Xorn smiles to the white robe
and her.........constitution, out drinking
him. "You surprise me Kah'rhin.
You are not what I ever expected from a
follower of the Silver one. This is
refreshing..........and disturbing."
Kah asks 'How so?'
Xorn gulps
down the rest of his drink in attempt to keep up. He winks at
the elf. 'It
is your turn to buy the next round. And as for how? I
figured your kind to be
rigid and chaste. On a magely level, but also on
an elven one. I have been
proven wrong on both counts it seems.'
Kah slowly states 'Ah, yes.
Most elves are stuck up, but being raised by
my human family has helped
alleviate those... predjudices of my mother's
people. And as for those of my
order, I can not speak for how some think
that they are as spotless as their
robes, but being the voice of Solinari
within our orders I must have a
different view of things.'
'None of us are spotless. To be wrinkle
free, is to be plain and...quite
ordinary.'
'Yes exactly. And as you
can tell, I lead a very open existence.' Kah
stands to show off how much of
her is not hidden.'
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Mar 20 15:41:27 2010
Subject (RP) Black, White, With
A Hint Of Grey. (Pt. 2)
'You are.............quite beautiful. But you
know this white robe
leader. It is......part of your appeal is it not? A pure
soul, but with a
the body of a succubus.' Xorn demurs, and does not look at
the woman's
beauty. The minotaur at the adjoining table places another order
for
rounds.
A drunk dwarf walks over to a the minotaur haranging the bar
wench and
kicks him in the shin. "Lousy Cow, stop holding up the wench. I am
getting parched over here!"
Yelling across the tavern to the Minotaur
working the bar Kah'rihn calls
out her order "Mrugh I'd like two bottles of
your finest elven wine, two
tylor steaks, some poached desert owl eggs and some
spiced potatoes. And
make it quick."
Xorn looks around the inn, studying
the differing patrons, as if sizing up
any trouble makers or cut-throats.
Kah says 'I hope you don't mind me ordering for the two of us. I'm well
known in these parts. I doubt there would be any trouble here tonight.
Least
not any that two mages couldn't handle.'
Xorn looks up to the cieling of
the desert tavern and winks to the leader
of the White Robes. "The Dark
Lady, Her Lover, The Thief, The Black
Wind....they all have servants. You can
never be too careful."
A gruff minotaur in a soiled apron delivers the
bottles of elven wine and
the plates heaped with food to Kah'rihn. "Enjoy
your meal mistress."
The minotaur turns and heads back behind the bar and
serves the next round.
"And, the same could be said for the Platinum
Dragon, The Healing Hand,
The song of Life. They have servants too. I can never
bee to careful."
The huntress says 'The gods do as we do. Eat before
your food gets cold.
Have you ever tried tylor?'
Kah takes up her fork
and knife and cuts a large piece from the tylor
steak. Steam and rich aroma
flows from the white meat of the great beast
of the desert.
A drunk dwarf
pinches A half-elven waitress's bottom and grins. He laughs
as the waitress
turns and slaps him. He bellows as he gaffawls "I am
still waiting on my
drink woman. But, your bottom feels more pleasing!"
Xorn takes a knife in
hand as well, and upon hearing the name Tylor, he
simply.....freezes. He looks
to the woman, cutting into her food, and
without missing a beat, does the same.
Taking a sample of it, he smiles
with delight.
The drunken dwarf pulls the
woman into his lap as she screams to be let go.
and Kah stands. "One second
please." She walks over to the dwarf and
wench. 'Let her go and go home.
You have had too much to drink this
evening master dwarf.' Looking at
Kah'rihn the dwarf grins and drops the
waitress on the ground and reaches out
to grope the High Archmage. "You
look like you got a nice firm bottom on you,
and its more open to grab!"
Xorn continues to eat and drink from what
the white robed ordered, and
under his breath he whispers to himself or no one.
"Tylor."
The dwarf's hand never reached it's target. Kah'rihn whispered a
single
word and with a few dried petals of rose sprinkled on the dwarf's head
had
put him to sleep causing him to fall to the floor hard. She returns to her
seat and meal and carves off another chunk of her steak without missing a
beat. 'Yes this meat comes from a local beast called a Tylor.'
Xorn
raises a goblet of wine that was brought to the table to Kah. "Quite
delicious, my leige. You have........excellent taste." He almost chokes
a
moment on the wine, but swallows down his food. Looking to the slept
dwarf,
Xorn raises his glass of wine to her. "Of course you can take care
of
yourself. Chivalry is dead!"
Kah says 'You are lucky. It is a very rare
delicacy and the owner was
lucky that he had happened upon the carcass after a
territorial dispute our
dinner had with a larger male.'
'I must ask my
lady, and do not take offense, because I do not mean any
disrespect. I've met
the others at the tower. How did you become the Silver
Lady? You are nothing
like.......anyone could expect.' Xorn continues to
cut into the meat,
obviously savoring it, and the side dishes, but his eyes
never leave the sand
woman.
Kah says 'I do and go as the white moon guides me. It is in his
honor I
have obtained, the prestige I now hold.'
'You don't seem like one
who cares about prestige, or even political
power.'
Kah savors the last
bite of her steak, the bowl off eggs having been
emptied long ago, being used
as a dip for the meat. 'I do not care for
either. But, a good leader does not
look for those simple awards. A good
leader strives to make things better for
everyone that looks to them for
guidance.'
Xorn also finishes his meal,
and takes the last of his wine in hand. He
look deeply at Kah. 'I expected
you to be loving, kind, and well..naive.
You are some of these things, however
not niave. And you treat me with
kindness, even away from the tower.'
Kah
says 'I am as carefree as the winds through the sands, as shifting as
the
sands themself, as diverse as the creatures that call the sands home,
and a
beakon of direction like the silver moon in the heavens. And young
Xorn, no
reason has arisen for me to treat you any other way. Just because
of the color
of your robes does not mean I should treat you any
differently.'
Xorn
rests down his knife and fork, his dinner, done. He gulps down the
rest of his
wine. His expression becoming quite happy, intoxication heavy
in his eyes.
Kah says 'And if any of our orders wished to seek my advice or direction,
regardless of robe color, they are free to do so.'
'This surprises me
Master.'
Kah asks 'How so?'
Xorn looks around and reaches in
close to whisper. 'There is much
fighting in between ourselves as of late.
This is something of a concern to
the master. When he asked me of it, I told
him the truth. I would figure
you would only be of help to your own order,
strengthen them for the
advances of some of the others. But I might add, I did
praise you to
Jendaron. You have brung unity for Solinari's disciples.'
Kah leans in and whispers back. 'You should not be surprised young Xorn.
I
have been honest and upfront with you. We learn and teach each other, in
order
to strengthen ourselves for those who would destroy us from the
outside.'
'To show conflict is to invite outsiders to exploit riffs in our
order.'
Kah says 'Agreed.'
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Mar 20 15:43:17 2010
Subject (RP) Black, White, With
A Hint Of Grey. (Pt. 3)
Xorn pauses a long moment before continuing his
train of thought. "There
are some that tear at our unity, and the divide us,
and they project
conflict to the outside world. Jendaron will deal with these
individuals.'
Kah says 'He has a lot of responsibility, your master
does.'
'He does and with much to come apparantly. Can I tell you
something?..........something I will tell him in time, when he is ready to
hear it. But you should know now, because you will recieve it.'
Kah nods
and says, 'You may tell me anything you wish.'
'HIS word is this.... The
great wars are coming. And in the realm of
possible futures, All will come to
agreement in order to save Krynn. She
will eventually be granted her wishes.
And this will grieve the moons,
especially Nuitari.'
Kah slowly
states 'A very big riddle you have given me there...'
Xorn begins to
tremor in his seat, his eyes becoming clouded by a black
mist, becoming dark
obsidian. He begins to sway, obviously in a magically
induced trance, and he
screams as he collapses to the floor.
Kah jumps up and comes to the
unconscious mage and kneels by him, resting
her hand on his neck to check his
lifebeat. 'I think we have had too much
excitement for the evening. I
believe it is time to depart.'
Oblvious now to the outside world, caught
up into another frame of
reference of time and space, Xorn whispers a question
in his delerium
"How can the future be stolen?" Again he screams, and with
that he
falls deep into a coma and into Kah's hands.
With a flare of light
and sounds, the two mages, Kah'rihn and Xorn are
transported magically from the
Sand and Stone tavern in Stone Rose, back to
the Tower of Wayreth. Where Xorn
would remain comatose for several days.
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed Mar 24 18:25:00 2010
Subject (RP) Secret
Negotiations. (PT 1)
The raven sits on the top of the building looking
out, and Nestos looks
through his eyes as the cutpurse runs out. He spies the
mage walking down
the small alley. Nestos blinks as he comes out of the trance
and gets ready
to greet him.
Xorn walks down the street, looking at the
various buildings. Suddenly he
hears the squawking of a bird, and looking up
sees the raven fly down from
the top of a warehouse. It circles him a moment,
and flies to a doorframe,
resting there.
Xorn walks closer to the door and
the bird, and smiles. "Yes this must be
the place, isn't it.......now what
was your name again? Sil..?" The
mage looks up as if trying to remember,
and knocks upon the door.
The door opens and a man runs from the building and
down the street,
obviously in a great hurry. Xorn ducks his head through the
doorway and in
a silly voice says. "Yoohoo! Anyone...........home?"
Nestos says 'I am over here.' The renegade sits on a crate over near
another door. He looks up to the mage, "And his name is Sitharnos."
Xorn walks in and bows to Nestos, nodding to him in response to the raven's
name. "So sorry my friend. My mind has been a little.......clouded
lately.
Do forgive my laps of memory." He walks near the renegade, and
leans against
a crate.
Nestos asks 'It is already forgiven. So, what brings you to
Sanction?'
"The Shadow Walking Spell." Xorn laughs, and rests his
staff next to
him as leans upon the crate. He grins at Nestos and continues.
"I needed
out of that damn tower, if just for a little while."
Nestos
grins, "I certainly can understand that. Shadow Walking, eh? Fun.
And how are
things in the towers?"
'They are.......tedius. Jendaron wishes me to
learn to read scroll, and
learn to write them. I understand his wisdom in
this, but yes.....tedius.
I have been taking little sojourns, to freshen
myself.'
Nestos asks 'So, where have these sojourns led to, other than
one of my
many doors?'
Xorn looks up as if remembering, taking time
before he answers. "I went
back to Tarsis, and this saddend me, for it is a
husk of it's former glory.
I went towards the icewall, and looked up
an........old friend." Xorn
pauses before continuing. 'And then I recently
travelled what is known
now as the Plains of Dust. There is a village there, I
remember fondly
from my youth, but it is also radically changed. And since you
are on my
mystical map, so to speak. I thought I might drop in.'
Nestos
says 'Ah, the Plains of Dust? I do like that place. One can be
alone.' He
smiles, 'And you are definetly welcome whenever.'
Xorn looks disturbed
a moment, but it quickly passes with Nestos' welcome.
"I find it detestable.
The longer I live in this time, the more I
understand why people turned away
from the Gods. Plains of Dust! Once
beautiful grassland."
Nestos
says 'Even still, there is a beauty to its desolation.'
'It's funny
you should say that. Someone very recently said that very
same thing. But
then again she grew up there. But I bore you with my
petty irks. What have
you been doing my renegade friend?'
Nestos slowly states 'Distasteful
things, as always.' The mage smiles
wryly.
When the dark elf answers his
question, Xorn grins evilly, and nods. "I
have been so busy completing
trivial tasks, and playing the social game to
do any of the same. I hold on to
the times when......HE......shares with
me."
Nestos nods, "Well never
feel that you need to be too trivial here, or
social for that matter. And as
for me, just before you came I had to deal
with a betrayer. Always fun when
dealing in secrets." Nestos smiles a big
grin.
Xorn nods and suddenly a
look of inspiration comes across his expression.
"There is but one
punishment for betrayal. I hope you sent him packing
to the
abyss........screaming. And secrets eh? What do you trade,
generally
speaking of course."
Nestos says 'I did send him to the abyss with my
regards to Takhisis. As
for screaming, no, I sent him with hope. The Darkqueen
will flay his soul
enough, he can have that small hope. And as for secrets, if
you want to
know it, chances are I already do. And as for the man, he was a
good
informant, I owed him that hope.'
Xorn again nods to the dark
elf's words, again pausing if considering
something. "Most believe that if
you worship the dark ones, hope is
something to be squashed. Perhaps those who
follow the Black
Wind.......and speaking of which....I think I have a
proposition for you.
It was given to me by our Dark Father, to help a certain
white robed elf.
I would not have gone to her if it was not commanded, but she
is..........interesting, and her dilemia........delicious."
Nestos mocks
interest, "Proceed? I am all for propositions."
Xorn brings his legs
up to the top of crate and crosses them, and reaches
into the satchel carried
on his side. He pulls a scroll case from it, and
opens it, producing a
parchment. He tosses it in the air, and with a
gesture, it floats to Nestos.
Nestos studies the parchment, "And where do I fit in?"
'Have you
ever seen anything like this in your travels? They are a
created race,
mutated by Morgion shortly after the catacylsm. They
worship him soley. And I
am getting to where you fit in shortly.'
Nestos asks 'Interesting
creatures. No I have not run into one of these.
Morgion, huh? I do like a
little decay here and there.' Nestos laughs.
"Is it information that you
want then?"
Xorn gestures, and the parchment flies back across to him, he
places it
back in the case, and back into the satchel. "They are called the
Disir,
or so an acquaintance told me. Once dwarves who called out to him, If
you
can believe that. The white robe elf I spoke of was given a vision by the
moons. One is squatting in a very old temple, somewhere near what used to
be
Zhaman."
Nestos asks 'Most interesting. And what is it that the
gods of magic
wanted of her?'
Xorn pauses a long moment before he
continues with the last. "It is a
temple to Solinari apparantly, but it
contains, ancient artifacts, from my
time or before, of all three Gods. I was
commanded to help her find it. "
HE does not want those items gifted by him and
his mages to fall into her
hands.'
Nestos says 'Understandable, white
robes with artifacts of the Ungod just
makes no sense.' He pulls out a
parchment and a quill and begins to write
on it.
'She would most likely
destroy them, and I must not let that happen.
They are to brought to the black
tower. However, I'm sure we could come to
some kind of......arrangement?
Yes?'
Nestos stops writing a moment and looks up to the human and
grins, "I am
certain that something can be arranged. Is she to be given the
others?"
Xorn smiles and shakes his head as if not knowing. "I was not
given the
specifics. Only to help her find the temple and find a way to
either
communicate with, or kill this..........Disir. But something will and
can
be arranged. There will be profit in this for you."
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed Mar 24
18:26:37 2010
Subject (RP) Secret Negotiations. (PT 2)
Nestos says
'Than I am in. Although I will ask that I accompany you to
this temple. I
have been in Neraka and Sanction too long. I need to have my
own.....sojourn.'
Xorn nods to the renegade elf and smiles. "Yes, lets
have a holiday, and
when this is over, we will have new toys to play with. I
will inform the
white robe I have found someone who can help her. She will want
to meet
with you, but she is not like some of the others in many regards. We
will
find a neutral space to converse."
Nestos finishes his writing, and
after he folds up the parchment his rises
and walks to the door, "I have no
problem meeting with other mages, I
have found though that they have a problem
with meeting me, but if she is
as understanding as you say...then I do not
think we will have a problem"
'I will work out the details, and send you a
missive with the
information. I look forward to working together. The Ungod
will be pleased
you are with his will. And as I said, you will be handsomely
compensated.'
Nestos opens the door and leans out his head, "He kid,
come here." When
the child gets to the door he hands him the parchment,
"Bring this to
Fidget." The kid agrees and runs off. 'I do like
compensation. And I
like adventure as well.'
Xorn rubs his hands
together in greedy anticipation. "Beats the abyss out
of writing scrolls!"
Nestos returns to crates and sits back down, "I would have to agree, and
I
like the thought of meeting this "new" race."
'Oh I forgot to mention
this.......Finding a way to communicate might be
wise. According to my source,
they pretty much eat anything that comes into
view. Dead and or alive.'
Nestos laughs, "Communication is not always through tongues. But, yes, I
would
like to join and I have just sent a message to have the information
gathered."
Xorn jumps down off the crate he was resting on and takes his
staff in
hand. He bows to the dark elf. "Then I Will leave you to it. When
I
have things arranged I will be in touch."
Nestos nods, "Than I will
see you soon and that information will not
elude me for long."
Xorn
walks to the door, and smiles to the Raven, before he walks back into
the
street. "May the unlight shine down on you Nestos. Blessed be those
who
serve the Devouring Dark." And with that he walks around a corner
and
vanishes into the shadows.
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed Mar 31 03:24:22 2010
Subject (RP) Prices And
Celebrations. (PT 1)
Nestos sits in a leather chair in the corner of
the tavern, staring at the
flames that lick from one of his fingers to
another.
In a dark corner, the shadows from the dim lighting begin to pulse
then
swirl, as a black figure emerges. At first it is nothing but blackness,
but it coalesces into a human, who looks around a moment. Xorn walks forth
into the tavern.
Nestos smiles, still looking at the flames, "Xorn,
again so soon? I would
have thought it would have been a little longer."
Xorn watches the renegade playing with the fire in his hand, and grins.
"Neat trick, you must show that one to me sometime. I came to bring
word
about our future adventure."
Nestos waves his hands and the flames
disappears as he looks up with a
smile, "Good. I do like words. They are what
put gold in my hands."
'You are if anything consistant Nestos. And
that is one of the many
qualities that I adore you for. That and your heart is
as black as mine.
But you are also honerable, something that many who follow
the Dark ones
are lacking.' Not seeing another chair near, Xorn scans the
tavern, and
sees something comfortable across the room. He gestures to the
chair, and
it flies into the air and falls next to the dark elf. He rests next
to his
associate.
"Glad to oblige," Nestos states with a mocking bow,
still sitting in
his chair, "Welcome to one of my home away from homes."
"As you said before.....one of your many doors." Xorn returns the mock
bow before he continues. "We are beyond such formalities now. You are a
kindred spirit, two servants of the Ungod, fulfilling his will in differing
ways."
"Very true," Nestos says, pointing to the other mage, "What
news do
you have?"
'I spoke with the White huntress. She is eager
to meet with you. She has
given her word you will not be harmed, confined or in
anyway accosted. She
needs all the help she can muster, and she knows it.'
Nestos grins wide, "Very good than. I will meet her, but tell me, do you
know the why?"
Xorn pauses for a moment, which is now obviously his
manner, as he mulls
over the question posed. "I know only that this temple,
houses artifacts,
and this monstrosity has possession. No more has been
revealed to me, nor
do I think to Kah'rhin."
Nestos asks 'Ah, I had
thought, but now I know, the High Archmage?"
Nestos rubs his hands together.
"So, who is to go on this adventure of
hers?'
'Yes, head of the white
robes herself. She is not what I expected...at
all. As for those involved
currently, she had some of her apprentices
doing research, but only one of them
succeeded in her task. She was sent on
some errand, but I do not know what it
was, only she returned. Her name is
Mariala, a high born elf, very snobbish,
but very...lucious. If only I
could get her into my bed.........I do love a
challenge!'
Nestos grins, "Well good luck in that endeavor, I enjoy
challenges as
well. Which reminds me, I found some good information, though it
required
some drastic measures, I do have some more resources still out
there."
This time Xorn rubs his hands together in anticipation, his eyes
lighting
up at Nestos' disclosure. "Do tell. And be sure to fill me on
these.......drastic measures." The mage sits back in the chair, and
places
his staff across his lap.
Nestos slowly states 'Oh, the usual form of
drastic.' The renegade
drags his finger across his neck with a smile and a
shrug. "Anyways, I
found out a little bit about this creature, and also what
is in that
temple, but even for a friend, these are expensive morsels."
Xorn nods to the dark elf renegade, agreeing with him. "I would say the
same
if I were in your position. What is the price Nestos.....and I will
make
arrangements." The mage raises his hand, summoning over a wench.
"Elven
wine, the oldest you have."
Nestos slowly states 'Ah, trying to get
the drinks from your time? Elven
wine would be the closest, though I prefer
other vices.' Nestos pulls
out a pipe from his robe and fills it with a
green leaf and lights it.
"And as for the price...I will give you one piece
of paper for several
pieces of paper and some leather." The mage grins.
The
wench returns with a bottle of wine and two goblets. She places them
before
the two wizards, and Xorn hands here a ruby. She blushes, looking
shocked
before she departs. He looks at the label. "A hundred years will
have to do I
suppose." He waves his hand over the top, and the cork
simply vanishes and as
he pours a glass for himself he continues.
"Information for information. What
would you like me to procure?"
Nestos says 'Almost as old as me. And a
book. A spellbook to be precise.
I know it is in the towers, but
obviously...' The mage pauses looking
down at himself, "I can not just walk
in and ask for it."
Xorn nods to Nestos again, agreeing with his words.
"I suppose not. I'll
make you a deal. I will......borrow what you want.
But only for as long
as it takes you to copy the spells, and then it will be
returned. Is this
acceptable?"
Nestos puts a look of disapointment on his
face, "I would have much
rather kept it, but I would like the spells
contained in the book more"
The dark elf rubs his temples, "Bah, agreed, and
please pour me a glass
of wine." The mage waves his staff over the table and
a scrollcase drops
out from an extradimension. The mage picks it up and opens
it, pulling out
a piece of paper and a worn old scroll of paper.
Xorn
takes the bottle and pours the goblet full of wine. He takes both
glasses in
hand, and offeres one to Nestos. "Give me the name of the
grimore or it's
description and I will find it for you. Seems everywhere I
go compromises are
made. The Ungod is nothing if not pragmatic."
Nestos slowly states 'I am
glad. This is what I want.'The mage hands
Xorn the folded paper. "And this
is what you are buying for it. You will
not get it till I recieve payment, but
please look as long as you want. The
rest of the information will come with a
secure...trip with you all."
Nestos unrolls the rolled up paper to
reveal it as an old map of Zhaman,
"This was one of those items that required
a drastic measures. I truly do
not know who the author was, but I am 100% of
its authenticity."
Xorn looks at the parchment, and his eyes widen a little.
"This will take
some doing, but I will get it." He leans over and looks at
the paper the
renegade unfolded, and smiles. "Yes, that is more like it. And
the trip
will be secure. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, and
afew....things
I can call upon if need be."
Nestos grins, "I am sure
you have plenty of tricks, as do I," Nestos
says with a wink, "I am glad
about this trip, and there will be one more
payment I will require, but I think
that will require the High Archmage to
be here." Nestos grins. 'And I do
apologize for the price, but this
information is not too easy to come by, it
would be much worse if I did not
consider you a friend.'
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed Mar 31
03:25:50 2010
Subject (RP) Prices And Celebrations. (PT 2)
Xorn
grins widely as well, holding up his glass of wine to Nestos. "Then
to
prices paid, friendship, a grand adventure, and to our most Unholy
Lord!" He
taps his goblet against the renegades and takes a long swill.
Nestos
takes a long gulp as well after stating, "Yes, to the Ungod."
'I will
send word to you when it is time to meet Kah'rhin. I had hoped
it would have
been sooner than later, but I think she has her finally put
her Order
in..........order.' Xorn laughs at his own pun. 'As soon as
I know, you
will know.'
Nestos says 'Good. Well, I must be off.' Nestos stands. "I
must speak
with a wife I widowed. I do not like being anything but
transparent." The
renegade grins. "Plus, they had always been good to me. I
owe the man's
family at least some condelence, and gold."
'As I said
Nestos, you are an honerable person. When we next meet I
will have the
grimore. I must begin to........formulate how it will be
done. But I Am
resourceful. Until we meet again my friend.'
Nestos drains his
goblet, "Yes, until we do."
Xorn stands as well, and looks around the
tavern, finally spotting the
wench from earlier. "I think I will tarry here
for a little while,
and.....socialize." The mage winks to the woman, and
turns once more to
bow to Nestos. "She reminds me a little bit of the elf
apprentice. I
think I'll act out a fantasy, or prepare for a reality."
Nestos simply grins at his associate and leaves Xorn to his "socializing".
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Apr 3 03:45:16
2010
Subject Desderada Malificar. (Pt. 1)
The black tower seemed
even more dark, and eerily quiet as I returned from
my negotiations with the
renegade dark elf known as Nestos. I was
exhausted from the trip back to
Wayreth, for the Shadow Walking spell did
take it's toll upon the body, and
sometimes even the mind, but I found
myself pacing in my quarters well into the
wee hours of the night.
A decision had to be made, and quickly. It was not an
easy one. Every so
often I would walk to the desk in the corner and re-examine
the parchment
my associate had given me. It contained only two words, but those
two words
carried a grave weight, because of what they represented.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
Just two words, just a grimore. A book of spells that no
self respecting
white robe could ever grasp. A book of spells that would send
terror into
any red robe. A book of spells that many black robes even shunned.
For the
spells within were pure Necromancy.
Necromancy is not just a
school of magic. It is a philosophy, and in many
ways a religion unto it's own.
Each time a spell of this sort is cast, a
piece of your soul becomes darkened,
and a part of your body defiled. There
is an unseen line that when crossed,
there is no return. And I knew this,
because I had been ushered into it's art
more than three hundred years
prior, by my former master, and now Lich,
Isaldora.
Necromancy, an art divided as well. Only two God's of the pantheon
had any
influence in the school, and they were at many times at odds. Nuitari
favored it's use in the physical world, while Chemosh's domain was the
spiritual. However many times these lines would become blurred. An undead
minion is part of both, a spell that syphons life energy as well. And this
has
been a "debate" amongst black robed mages, and priests of the death
God, where
"debate" many times is defined as battle.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
The words
upon the parchment haunted me. I dared not take this book from
the Conclave and
hand it to a renegade. It was against everything I had
been told, everything
the Conclave stood for. I would be handing over
power to a supposed enemy.
But........Nestos was not my enemy, and I was
not an obedient servant of the
Conclave. I was an obedient servant of
Nuitari, and him alone. My pledge was
to him, not men. I served the
Conclave because he commanded it. They were and
would always be a bi-
product of that service.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
I
continued to pace, going over the events that lead up to this point in my
mind
over and over, weighing out action and consequence. The book was not
housed in
the Conclave library, and I knew where it was, because it had
called to me,
soon after I had come to the tower. And I knew what it was,
and it's history
because of Isaldora.
According to the story, the book was neither clerical
nor arcane. What was
inscribed within was pure necromantic thought. It was a
road map from the
beginning practices to the greatest disertations. A chapter
would have to
be mastered, before the next would mystically become unlocked. It
was said
that it could only have one owner at a time, because the grimore would
bond
to a host, and could only be retrieved upon the host's death, or
transformation into the other worldly, with death usually being the
outcome.
The grimore was sentient, and craved souls to add to it's own
power. It was
thought the information inside were the actual thoughts of
its victims. It was
bound in the flesh of every race on Krynn, and inked in
the blood of the same.
As Isaldora told it, the book was ancient, at least a thousand years old,
and had passed through generation after generation of hands, defiling any
who
could not master it, taking control of the weak minded, and stealing
their very
essence. She said there were other ways to master the art, and
anyone foolish
enough to use the grimore deserved their fate. Looking back
on her words, I
have to wonder, for she gave her soul to Chemosh for
physical immortality. But
yet I digress.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
The book had a will and mind of its
own, and was able to seek out people
who would benifit from its use. It would
tempt those able to decipher it
with promises of dark power and eventual
immortality, whispering paranoia
into the users mind, the whispers of total
control over life and death
itself. And the book had called to me. My mastery
over necromantic
energies had grown significantly in the last years, and when I
had come to
the tower, I heard its call.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
I had
been at the tower only a few months, and I had........"the dream."
I had not had
it since my mother's death, and my translation through time.
I often thought
about it, but it had not re-occured.
Once again the moons rose above the
Library of Tarsis, as it was before the
cataclysm, once again they spoke their
truths of fate and choice. But this
time, I knew I Would chose the black moon,
I knew that Nuitari would save
me. I knew that I would become his voice for a
new generation. And when
the dream would usually end....it continued. I found
myself magically
moved to the Tower of Wayreth, and to the black tower. And I
saw the dark
light of Nuitari shining down. This time it did not illuminate
me, but a
path. With every step I took, the light would shift to point the way
to
somewhere........to something. As I descended the tower to the ground
floor, the light shone upon a wall to the south, and a whisper came.
"Another sacrifice is required. Will you give in order to recieve?"
And
I awoke in night sweats, a feeling of elation and terror mixed inside
me. It
had been so real, and I knew I was being lead there. By this time
I knew when I
was recieving a vision from the Ungod, and when it was merely
a dream. There
was a sense of urgency as well, so I immediately went to
the place marked in
the dream. I found the wall, crafted of solid onyx,
quite ordinary. There
were no runes, no seams, not even a stone. In fact,
it was perfectly carved,
raised no doubt by magic.
The whispering words of the dream came to the
forefront of my mind then.
But what sacrifice? Was I to kill an apprentice?
Take on an elder? And
then the revelation came. This was a matter
of.....faith, and the sacrifice
was me. I pulled the dagger at my side, and
took a long moment, wondering
if it was just my mind or something more
significant. There was only one
way to find out.
The pain was searing heat
into my wrists, as the dagger cut deep into the
arteries and veins, and the
blood began to flow out quickly, not in drops,
but torrents. I immediately
became light headed, as I Watched the blood
flow all over my body and then down
to my feet where it pooled in a sticky
goo. But it did not remain there for
long. The wall in front of me began
to....."breath" and the blood was it's
breath. The more that fell from my
mortal wounds, the more the wall absorbed.
And I felt pulled towards the
barrier now, not knowing if it was near death
hallucination or real magic.
The trance state took me over once again then. I
could feel the pull, I
could hear myself chanting in various tongues, words I
did not understand,
contemplations that came from another source. My vision
clouded, as
darkness took me. And I knew then I was either a visionary or a
fool.
I would awaken later for my fate to become known.
DESDERADA
MALIFICAR.
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date:
Sat Apr 3 03:51:09 2010
Subject Desderada Malificar. (Pt.
2)
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
I awoke in darkness, and I immediately
fumbled to find my wounded wrists,
but even in total blackness, I knew the
wounds were no longer there. And
then a giggle came, a giggle I had not heard
in quite a long time. It was
instantly recognizable. And the voice of a child
came from the void around
me. "Shirak!" A light appeared, and blinded me
for a moment, as my
eyes became adjusted, and before me stood the wicked child,
the messenger,
the harbinger. His eyes were of the blackest night, as they
had always
been, no pupil, just absorbing black matter, and he simply winked at
me,
and giggled again.
"Xorn, so lovely to see you again. The Dark father
is pleased with you.
You have done exactly as he commanded. You serve him
without hesitation,
and he rewards those who devote themselves to his cause.
Your faith opened
the doorway to this place and its contents. You will be
rewarded for your
service. The child skipped across the room, the light he
created
becoming brighter, filling the chamber, illuminating the space.
The
wicked.....whatever it really was... had an affect on me. I found it
hard to
speak in its presence, so as usual I simply followed the child.
Looking around
I found myself in a pyramid of the purist black crystal.
The single light the
child had created, was reflected on every surface, and
I found the pyramid
bare, except for a stand crafted of blood rubies, and
upon it was........."the
book".
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
It looked just as Isaldora had described, a patch
work of skin from all the
races of Krynn. And I could hear it call to me,
tempting me to pick it up
and begin. The child skipped back up to me and
just....slapped my hand.
"NO! It calls, but you are not to peruse its
contents. Nuitari
has.....other plans. You will be given the
knowledge.......later, and
without the very......very..dear cost. The Lich knew
and she told you of
the consequences and dangers. The book is meant for
another!"
"Who?" It was all I could muster to say, and the child again
winked at
me before he continued. "Glad you decided to join the conversation
prophet. You are to go the Neraka, home of the Dark Lady, now that she has
returned in quasi-physical form to Ansalon. There you will meet a fellow
mage. He also serves the Devouring Dark, but in....an unusual way. He has
spent some time in the dungeons of Wayreth, and will be very suspicious of
you. But you are to tell him the truth about yourself and give him a word
from the Black Moon."
I nodded to him, and tried to speak once more, but
again I was unable. The
child lifted the book from the stand and opened it,
scanning page after
page before he continued. "Yes, the Desderada Malificar,
it's a good read
in the beginning. The ending is a REAL DRAG however." The
child laughs
wildly at his own statment and places the book down upon the stand
once
more.
"Tell the renegade dark elf, that I.....I mean the Black Moon
cherishes
his service. Tell him that it was the Ungod who sent the raven to
guide
him from the forest and away from Wayreth. Tell him he may serve the
mother and her army, but remind him that his power and his soul belong to
Nuitari alone. You are not betraying the Conclave by befriending him. He
will
prove very.....useful to the cause. You will understand more as time
unfolds
what is to come."
I kept looking at the grimore with........ambition, greed,
and for that
matter lust, but I trusted the child explicitly. And I remembered
Isaldora's words. The book destroyed those greedy enough to put faith in
only
it. The grimore stole souls. And I was already on the path.
DESDERADA
MALIFICAR.
The child then slapped me across the face, and hard. "The last
mage who
studied this tome, is now captured inside it. It is how it operates.
You
have enough will to obstain, and you must. You will be asked for it soon
however, and you are to give it freely. Again, you are not betraying your
precious Conclave. You are doing the Lord's will."
I could only nod to the
wicked being before me. "The will of Nuitari is
my own. I will do what you
say. When the time comes I will not question, I
will only do the will of my
God." The child nodded in agreement. "When
is time to procure this you
will know. You are not to warn the one who
requests, but you can study the
effect. One day it may be yours."
And with the words, the child gestured
to the light he had created, and it
vanished, once again darkness assaulting
all of my senses, and the same
feeling of the trance coming upon me. Why did I
always scream in this
state? "How can the future be stolen?" But again I
Was unconcious
only to awake in my bed, many nights later.
And so as the year
unfolded, I met the dark elf Nestos. I was given the
vision of the Disir and
the temple, and yes, the renegade and I did become
friends. I understood his
desire, and his contempt for the conclave,
although I did not share his hate.
The Conclave came into my life at the
perfect time and place, just as Nuitari
had said. I knew the child was
either his child, or the Devouring Dark
himself, and I trusted him
implicidly, because he had never lied to me. Only
the truth came from the
visions or the messenger. When I was told to go to the
white robe leader
Kah'rhin I complied. When the mirror showed me the same
vision it was
confirmed. Even when after over three hundred years, I came face
to face
with my former master, and now devotee of Chemosh, Nuitari's plan only
became more clear.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
And so
the orbit of the black moon as come full circle as I pace my room
this night.
And how fitting. The silver and red moons are in low
sanction, and Nuitari
flies high in the sky, full, and only seen by his
followers. A sign? I do not
know. I creep silently down to the wall,
this time, no sacrifice needed, and I
enter. The book rests upon the blood
ruby stand, and I take it in hand, again
the whispers come into my mind.
But I know better. I will not look. It is
for Nestos. It will either
destroy him, or give him secrets to share.
DESDERADA MALIFICAR.
I make my way to Tarsis, to meet him, and Kah'rhin, and
her apprentice
Mariala. Payment made, prices negotiated. A future born.
FINE
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Apr 3 08:40:52
2010
Subject (RP) The Beginning of Culmination. (Pt. 1)
The sounds
of early morning songbirds can be heard as Kah'rihn finishes
with her
paperwork. A knock at her door shakes her weariness from her
mind. A knock
comes upon the door and the white robe answers 'Come in.'
Mariala opens
the door. She steps in, one hand holding a container with a
reddish substance.
She is still dressed in travel stained clothing that
bears spots of blood and
other questionable substances.
Kah says 'Ah, Mariala welcome home. I see
that things worked out in your
favor!'
Mariala shrugs. "I guess. It
was large...it was smelly...and it was
rather sad that we had to destroy
it."
Kah ponders for a moment on that thought sadly before speaking
again.
'It is always a shame to kill a living creature, no matter the reasons
behind it. Even the justified ones...'
Mariala nods. "I must say
though...Diz and his kind are an amazement.
It's a wonder that the staff I
worked so hard for wasn't...borrowed." She
says, then adds, under her breath.
"The little thieving monsters."
Kah snickers softly before she
continues the conversation. 'Yes, they
definitely are very comicial. So,
let's see the staff.' Kah'rihn holds
her hand out for the staff to be placed
in.
Mariala says 'Nevertheless...they were grateful that you sent someone to
take care of the critter...and looked on me with strange amusement when I
took
the blood. Diz wondered what you were going to do with it. I told
him I
didn't know.' Mariala nods. She sets down the container of blood,
snarling
her nose at it. She drops her packs to the floor with a thud.
With a slight
curse under her breath, she pulls the staff from it and holds
it out.
Taking the staff from her apprentice, Kah'rihn looks it over the whole time
as
a faint glow emits from her eyes. "Very good, the staff is in fine
shape and
seems to have grown in strength while in your possesion. Lets see
the blood
now." Kah holds out her hand for the vial.
Mariala sighs. She picks up the
container and holds it out.
Kah says 'Follow me. She turns and heads out the
door and towards the
glyph of transportation leading her apprentice in
silence.'
Mariala starts to protest, looking down at her filthy clothing.
She lets
loose a string of dwarven and human curse words as she follows.
Arriving at the glyph of transportation, a room dedicated to enhancing the
ability a mage has at using the pathways of magic, Kah'rihn stops and turns
to
face her apprentice. 'We will be heading to Tarsis to meet up with
Xorn. We
will also meet his informant.'
Mariala sighs. "Great!" she says
under her breath.
Kah says 'I know that you feel uneasy around the black
robe. But,
remember he is still a brother in magic.'
Mariala nods.
"That he may be, but he disturbs me greatly."
Kah nods.
Mariala
laughs. "A bath, perhaps? Not all of us are privledged to walk
around in
sooty robes and feel 'clean'"
Pulling a small carving of a dolphin from a
pouch hanging from her side,
Kah'rihn holds the foci high and recites the words
'Portnea.' A
swirling portal opens in the center of the room and the town
of Tarsis can
be seen on the other side. Looking through Kah'rihn can see the
townsfolk
beginning to stir and start their day. "That man is far from
clean."
Mariala says 'Why do we travel to such a place? Is it not
better to keep
this staff safe in the Towers and away from places where thieves
worse then
kender could get their hands on it?'
Kah says 'No simple
thief would dare assault a group of mages. And I for
one doubt that a thief
would be able to snatch it from me.'
Mariala looks at the humans through
the portal. She shakes her head. "Is
the dark robed one not thief enough?"
she whispers.
Kah says 'As I said he has his place. Soliari showed in the
vision
artifacts he wished to be restored to his cousin. Xorn is just his
messenger.' She motions for Mariala to follow and then steps through the
portal and out into the streets of Tarsis.
Mariala sighs again. "I hope
I don't look too horrible," she says,
glancing down at her atire again.
Mariala enters the portal. She makes a
face at seeing the people wandering
around, but does not say much about
them.
Looking back at her apprentice,
Kah'rihn notices the wide berth the
citizens of the town are giving her as well
as the stares and realizes the
condition her apprentice is in. 'I think we
need to get you something
else to wear. I hear there is a fine tailor in this
city. Let's go and
get you something nice as a reward for your
accomplishments.' Kah'rihn
heads down the street and stops shortly after in
front of a very pleasant
and orderly shop.
Mariala merely walks on, her
eyes the only thing showing her disgust at her
appearance. "Why? I did
exactly what you asked of me...unlike the
others who forgot what they were to
do. I would have merely asked for time
to bathe and get myself cleaned and
presentable before you whisked me away
from the Towers."Mariala grumbles to
the back of her Mistress.
Kah says 'Oh, come now a new robe and a nice hot
bath in your own room
will be nice for you. And your appearance makes it
easier to spot
thieves.' Kah winks at Mariala.
Mariala looks at her
mentor, a surprisingly human expression that is a
mixture of boredom, disgust,
and unhappiness on her elven face. With a
shrug, she follows, grumbling to
herself in the dwarven language.
Grinning to herself Kah'rihn steps into the
shop and begins to browse the
numerous dresses and robes and other finely
tailored garments arrayed
arounds the shop.
Mariala merely glances in the
shop. Instead of entering the shop, she
flops to the ground outside, sitting
while she pulls her tattered boots
off. "I hate.....blech."
Kah stops
looking at the garments when she notices that Mariala is not with
her, so she
heads to the doorway to look out into the street. Noticing
her apprentice is
sitting out there in the middle of the road taking off
her clothing.she asks.
'My dear. I know you want a bath, but don't you
think you should wait until
you are in private to be doing that?'
Mariala turns and glares. "If you
think that the shop mistress wants
these filthy foot covers tracking
whatever...filth...that is on them...by
all means, I will gladly track it.
But, by the look on her face, I think
that she might prefer me removing them
and entering her shop bare
footed." Mariala finishes with her shoes. With a
grumble, she stands and
drops them by the door. With a sigh and an apologetic
looks she enters the
shop.
Kah glances over her shoulder and to the
seamstress who nods in
confirmation at Mariala's comment.
Following her
apprentice into the shop, Kah'rihn heads over towards a
section devoted purely
to robes of all types, sizes and colors.
Mariala looks through the
assortment of clothing, her hands balled into
fists at her side. After a bit,
she points one dirty hand at a particular
set of materials. She speaks quietly
to the shop mistress who takes the
clothing and bundles it together for her.
"When you are ready...I have
what I need for new clothing."
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Apr 3
08:46:40 2010
Subject (RP) The Beginning of Culmination. (Pt.
2)
Kah says 'I see you found something to your liking.' She hands
the
seamstress a few coins, definitely more then three times what the clothing
was worth and leads Mariala out of the shop and down the street deeper into
town and towards the docks.
Mariala notices where they are heading. With a
grumble, she shakes her
head. "Wonderful...I can bathe in the cold water of
the sea," she says
to herself."
Kah says 'The tavern we are headed to
is the more comfortable place in
the =whole of town.'
Mariala shakes her
head. "For some reason...I doubt there are many places
'comfortable' in this
accursed town."
Kah says 'You'd be surprised how comfortable places can
be, even in the
most bizarre of places.' Stopping before a large and
extremely old
building she looks to Mariala. 'We are here.' She reaches out
and opens
the door and heads to the counter and speaks quietly to the owner.
Mariala looks at the building. She follows shortly behind Kah. "I saw
more
comfortable staying with Diz and his people."
Kah says 'The rooms are
taken care of. Your's is the second one on the
right.' Scanning the tavern
common room she notices Xorn has not shown up
yet. 'It seems that we are
early. You should go prepare yourself before
he gets here.'
Mariala looks
toward the hall. With a shake of her head, she heads down the
hall. Reaching
the door, she opens it and steps into the room....and gasps
at the sight before
her. A steaming bath sits in the middle of the room,
tendrils of steam rising
lazily. She closes the door, latching it tightly
and laughs to herself.
Walking to a table near the center of the common room Kah'rihn orders a
bottle
of the owner's best and sits back waiting for her company to arrive
Xorn
watches from where the border ethereal and the shadowlands meet.
Somewhere
inbetween the physical world and where the dimensions around it
meet. He
studies the sand mage, and her apprentice for many moments,
before his form
coalesces into existance in the tavern. He nods to his
companion, also out of
phase, giving him a look to wait for a moment. As
he walks forth he nods to
the barkeep, and comes up behind Kah'rhin. "An
excellent choice in drinks.
Mind sharing a glass?"
Kah says 'Take a seat.' The mage pours some
of the fine alchohol into
a glass and hands it to the black robed prophet 'I
take it you wished for
us meet with your informant this day, and I hope this
information will be
useful in our endeavor.'
Xorn sits next to the white
robed elf, and takes the glass poured in hand.
"Thank you for meeting me so
far away from the towers. But you do love
an outing if I remember from our
last tavern romp." He takes a long swig
from the spirit, and smiles 'You
always educate me in the new world
culture. He is present. He does have
reliable information. He is just
worried, that you will not keep your part of
the bargain, and enslave him
again.'
Kah says 'He will not be
enslaved. He may reveal himself and join us
here at the table like a civilized
man.' She pours another glass of the
fine alchohol and places it before a
vacant seat at the table.
At the White Robed Leader's words, he turns to a
dark corner, and nods.
"Very well then mistress. Nestos, come forth. As I
promised you will
not be harmed." Xorn takes another swig from the glass, as
the sand elf
pours another.
Nestos appears in the same fashion as Xorn,
his cowl pulled low, covering
his face. His runed red robes moving as walks
towards the table, leaning
heavily on his staff. He sits in the chair with the
alcohol, pulls out a
pipe and lights it. 'Hello, High Archmage.'
Kah
says 'Greetings Nestos. Been a long time. I see you are beginning
to enjoy
the company of our orders.'
Nestos grins, "They are where the money is
these days. I do not turn down
a paying customer."
Smiling tenderly towards
the renegade Kah'rihn says softly, "I do wish
you would change your mind and
come to our orders. You would make a fine
compatriot of the moons."
Nestos says 'Oh, I am still a compatriot of the moons, just not the
bureucracy of the towers. We could continue this attempt at conversion, or
we
could get down to business. I will come back to the towers if I find it
worth
while, until than, I am here.'
Mariala slips out of the tub, enjoying the
last little bits of it. She
unbundles the clothing and wears it. With a giddy
laugh, she spins in a
tight circle before putting the new shoes on. With a
last look in the
mirror, she makes sure she is ready and steps out of the room
and walks
back into the common room and toward the open chair at the table.
Xorn remains silent through the exchange, sipping his glass of spirits, as
the
two elves talk. He pats the satchel at his side, nodding to Nestos as
he does
so. As Mariala enters, his demeanor changes, a very wide smile
coming across
his face.
Kah says 'Ah, Mariala welcome back. My you look lovely in
your new
attire. We were just getting ready to get down to business, please sit
and
we shall begin.'
Nestos nods to Mariala, "Good evening, young
apprentice."
Mariala nods toward her Master. With merely a glance at
Xorn, she lowers
her head...while maintaining eye contact...toward the unknown
person. She
stands, taking a seat next to Kah.
Kah says 'Mariala, I would
like you to meet Nestos. He is a... renegade
wizard on temporary amnesty.'
Mariala merely smiles. "Master Nestos...a pleasure...I hope."
Nestos
pulls his hood back, revealing his Silvanesti heritage, and grins,
"It is a
pleasure."
At Kah's words, Xorn obviously bites down on his own tongue,
but the smile
remains, as he looks over the now quite beautiful elven woman.
He still
remains silent, and when his glass of spirits is gone, gestures to the
bottle, if asking for another
Nestos says 'So, I see that the payment has
been obtained.' Nestos
looks to Xorn as he pulls out a rolled up map and lays
it flat on the
table. "This is one piece of information I have located. This
is a map of
the area, before its destruction of course."
'Zahman,
now known as Skullcap.'
Kah looks to the black robe then to the renegade
before looking at the map
laid out on the table. She passes the bottle of
alchohol along to Xorn.
Xorn pours another glass of the ale, and again
begins to sip it, still
grinning widely at the elven maid.
Kah says
'A horrid place to be sure. I have visited it a few times
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Sat Apr 3
08:49:18 2010
Subject (RP) The Beginning of Culmination. (Pt.
3)
Mariala looks at the map, her eyes looking at the landmarks
Kah
says 'However, I have never seen a Disir there. Only undead.' She
drinks
dark ale from a bottle of "Gheosfe's Delight".
Nestos says 'This is why I
thought a map would help to show where things
used to be.'
'The undead
are easily controlled. I have a certain.....affinity for
necromancy, as you
well know mistress. They will easily be bypassed. No
fight needed.'
Kah gets a small pipe from a backpack.
Her hand raised, Mariala catches the
attention of the waitress. With a
smile, she asks for water to be brought to
her. She smiles when the
waitress return with a mug of water.
Nestos takes a
few longs puffs of his pipe, letting the smoke drift out of
his mouth and
inhaling through his mouth.
Kah says 'Yes, this map shows some
interesting markings depicting
underground tunnels and what is this symbol
here?' She points to a
symbol of a strange beetle clutching a skull and
crossbones.
Mariala leans closer to the table, looking closely at the map.
Nestos,after exhaling says, "I have some information that I will divulge
on
the way. Although, right now, I know of a few people that we could speak
with
for further information."
Kah asks 'Like who?'
Nestos says 'A
few dwarves. They have some sad, sob story, but they have
information on these
Disir.'
Kah nods. 'Let's go meet them then.'
Xorn gulps down more
of the spirits, in more of a ritual than complusion.
The black robe, twists
his neck back and forth, releasing tension with the
cracking of bones. He nods
to Kah as he does so. 'By the way, it was
given for me to know.' Xorn
points to the beetle and skull. This is a
trial of faith. Will we run
screaming, or face..........the swarm of the
scabard."
They all lean in
and look at the symbol each with different thoughts and
hopes and fears playing
across their faces. Kah'rihn thought to herself,
nothing will ever have me
running screaming.
Xorn takes the satchel from his shoulder, and drops it next
to the dark
elf, nodding as he does. "Your help is appreciated by not just
the
Conclave, but also by me and the one I serve. Be careful Nestos. I will
say no more."
MORE TO COME. STAY TUNED!
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed Apr 7 03:18:58 2010
Subject (RP) The Education Of
A Thief. (PT 1)
Raphael glances at the strange looking man as he enters
the Tavern. He
drains his tankard and rises from his stool, before staggering
toward the
door. He bumps into the man and then almost falls into a table.
"Scuse
me, dar matey," he says in a slur and stammer.
Xorn looks to
the drunken man with the jet black hair and pays him no
attention as he walks
to the bar. He gestures to the barkeep, and asks in
rough common. "Might I
have elven wine? Do you have any?" But as he
reaches for his change purse he
finds it missing.
Raphael smirks as he reaches the door and starts outside.
Xorn turns from the barkeep, and puts up a finger, as if to only pause the
conversation, and turns back to the drunk who bumped him. Quickly he runs
towards the door, and catches up with the smirking man, right before he
exits.
'This can end in two ways my.........."friend." You can either
give me back
what is mine............OR.......I'll filet your soul. Two
choices.........two
answers.......to outcomes? Do you understand?'
Raphael suddenly becomes
quite sober. "Filet my soul huh? First time Ive
heard that one." He grins
and dangles the pouch before the man.
"Though, how you would do that, makes
me wonder." It was obvious he
wasnt as drunk as he acted.
Xorn grins
evilly at the young man, and snatches the change purse from him,
then stares at
him coldly. "Yes filet......it is an.....appropriate term.
You picked the
wrong mark tonight, but since I am celebrating......I will
ignore your
impulse."
Raphael chuckles softly. "Celebrating huh? Would you care for
some
company?" He says, already starting back toward the bar.
Xorn turns
to the man once more, and his visage becomes altered.....All of
a sudden, the
man looks like a walking corpse, rotted and defiled. Xorn
becomes the epitamy
of death.....but only for a second, as his lifeless
hollow eyes bore holes into
the thief.
'Filet your soul...........yes! And as for company. If you
can be
civil........so can I? Agreed?'
Raphael raises his eyebrow at
strange man and sits at the bar. "Of
course, Ol' boy. Names Raphael..Thief by
profession. But im sure you knew
that already."
Xorn walks back to the
bar and again raises his hand to the barkeep, now
having his money in hand.
"Elven wine, the oldest you have, for me and
my new........friend?" Xorn
again looks at the cutpurse and grins, this
time only his teeth look rotted,
and this is quickly gone again.
Raphael grins slightly and nods. "One
can never have too many friends."
Xorn laughs heartily as the barkeep brings
a bottle of wine and two
glasses. "You are a hard one to frighten. And I
already like that about
you.......thief.
The thief shrugs indifferently.
"I've seen stranger things."
Xorn pours two glasses of the wine, and
hands one to Raphael, taking the
other in hand. Again he smiles, and offers
his own glass in a toast. "To
the future, and what it might bring."
Raphael swirls the wine in the glass and lifts it to meet the other mans.
"To the future." He says before taking a sip of the wine. "So tell
me,
my friend. What may i call you?"
'I am known as Xorn. And only Xorn. It
is a title more than a name, but
it declares who I am.'
Raphael says
'Ah. Well met then Xorn.'
Xorn looks the man up and down, and takes a
swig of his wine, before he
rests the glass back upon the bar. "Well
met.......Raphael.....thief."
The mage looks around the bar, noticing those
gathered.
A tall, lithe man stands before you, his jet black hair worn down
around
his shoulders. He has dark green eyes and sports a well trimmed goatee.
He
wears a fine pearl gray doublet, trimmed in black, with matching hose
and
soft black leather boots. His hands are wrapped in strips of black and
bloodred cloth. A slim rapier hangs from his left hip, from a some what
elegantsword belt. His eyes have a mischievous twinkle to them and he
smirks
as you look at him.
Raphael smirks and runs his hand through his hair.
"What brings you to
this..'Wonderful' city?" He says this with heavy
scarcasim on the word
Wonderful.
'This city is nothing more than a
distraction. It is full of noble born
snobs, who hate what they do not
understand. It is full of bright ideas
and wonderful notions that will never
come to fruition. I came to meet a
contact nothing more.'
Raphael
grins and takes another swig of his wine. "I'll drink to that."
'One
day, this city will fall into darkness. It will bow and worship
those they
disdain, and they will be grateful.'
Raphael chuckles and nods. "If
you say so my friend. If you say so."
'Saying and knowing are two
different things. But yet I digress'
Raphael sighs gently and drains his
glass. "Well lets hope I'm far from
this place when she does come. I'm not
much for bowing to anything."
'The Dark Queen wants control of
everything. She doesn't care about
freedom, and she definitely doesn't care
about her own son, and his
followers.'
Raphael shrugs. "She can want all
she wants. But I dont plan on being
controlled by some malevolent Goddess."
'We are all controlled in one way or another, but you have no loyalty to
anyone. I Can tell. I would advise you have some loyalty to me. Because
the
next time you try and steal from me, I will have some fun at your
expense.'
Raphael smirks. "I dont steal from the same person twice."
'Then we
might be able to reach some kind of......understanding.'
Xorn grins to the
thief, and pours two glasses of the elven wine, offering
one to Raphael.
Raphael takes the glass and looks slightly intriged. "An understanding
you
say?"
'I could always use......I mean appreciate someone with
your.......unique
talents. We might be able to benifit each other.'
Raphael smirks and pulls out a coin and begins flipping it across his
knuckles. "How so..If I may ask?"
Xorn looks to himself and then to the
man known as Raphael. He studies him
a long moment before he continues. "Do
you know what I am young man?"
Raphael takes a deep breath, through his
nose. "From the way you smell, A
mage. And from the way you talk, one of the
Black robes...or possibly a
Renagade."
Xorn does not answer, but walks
from the bar to the floor where people are
dancing. He finds a young woman and
meets her gaze, and they begin to
dance. At first the dance is normal, but
they begin to move quicker and
quicker, and before long, the two are airborne,
dancing high above the
crowd below, in a whirl of color and motion.
Raphael
takes a sip of his wine, looking terribly unimpressed, but says
nothing.
Xorn flings the girl from his grasp, and she falls to the ground, crashing
into a table, looking quite stunned and deshevled, and the mage simply
floats
back to the ground, as he walks back to his drink and the thief.
'NOT A
RENEGADE! You fill in the blanks.'
Raphael smirks and nods. "Forgive
me, my friend. The only mages I hear
talking about the Dark Queen are renagades
who've joined up with the
Dragonarmies." He takes another sip of his wine.
'Do you know how the pantheon works? Do you know of the Gods who
represent
evil?'
The thief shrugs. "Im a worldly man, my friend. I deal with
what I can
see, not Gods and that nonsense."
Xorn looks somewhat surprised
by Raphael's reponse, but simply nods in
return. "I'll break it down for
you, from a wizard's perspective.
Tahkisis gave birth to the black moon
Nuitari. But he resents his mother.
She is nosy and bothersome. She wishes
to control the entire world, while
her son only wishes to fulfill his role as
guardian of black magic, and
those that serve him. She would ursurp all
control over the world, and
take away from HIS power and wisdom.'
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed Apr 7
03:25:40 2010
Subject (RP) The Education Of A Thief. (PT 2)
The
cutpurse swirls the wine in his glass and nods. "So you wish to stop
her from
gaining control over everything?"
Xorn pauses a long moment, again
swirling his wine and taking a drink
before he responds. "My wishes are not
important. I only serve the one
who brought me forth..........the Devouring
Dark. And the Dark Mother will
fail, because she is not only opposed by the
God's of Light, but even those
in her own pantheon. And the Gods of neutrality
will side with the Gods of
Light as well. Reorx created the universe, would he
give it to her
ambition?"
Raphael says 'Who am i to ponder the wishes of
these Gods? Im a mere
thief, my friend.'
'THINK IN BIGGER TERMS'
Xorn swallows the rest of the goblet in front
of him. 'You will have to chose
eventually. If not now, then in the
possible future.'
Raphael smirks
gently. "Friend, all I got to think about is the next meal
in my stomach"
'What if I could offer you more than that? What if I Could give you some
purpose?' Xorn rubs his hands now, greedily, his expression becoming
dark,
but at the same time inspired.
Raphael downs his goblet and catches the
coin he had been flipping across
his knuckles. "Tell you what. Heads, I'll
listen. Tails, You give me
whats in that purse of yours and I'll be on my merry
little way."
Raphael flips the coin into the air and then slams his hand down
on it the
moment it touches the bar. When he removes his hand the coin is
laying
"heads" up. "There we have it. I'll listen, if you buy another round
of
wine of course."
Xorn simply nods to the thief, and gestures to the
barkeep. "Give me the
really good stuff. I'll pay in diamonds not gold
friend. Find the BEST!
I will not drink this swill again." The barkeep nods
and returns a few
minutes later.
Raphael simply grins softly, his eyes
twinkling mischeaviously.
Xorn taks the bottle in hand and checks the
label. "Two hundred years
old. Now that is better. Vinted after the
cataclysm. I should know young
man, for I am older." The black robe, not in
black robes pours two more
glasses. 'Being my associate, and friend
WILL......have rewards my young
cutpurse. I see you are a man who appreciates
material reward.'
Raphael takes his glass and swirls it around. "So I can
see." He says
as he takes a sip of his wine. "Material rewards are all
there is in this
world my friend. At least to a "Cutpurse" like you call
me."
'It is only half of the equation Raphael. Your soul is the other.
To
have one is to have the other. To lose one is to lose the other. You said
you would listen if bought more spirits, and I have bought the best'
Raphael says 'So speak on. You have my ears.'
Xorn grins to Raphael and
his.........youth and vitality. The mage waves
his hand over the bar, and coins
begin to fall, everyone of them ends up
heads as the drop. "Good boy. Back
to metaphysics for just a moment
before we get into the practical."
Raphael raises his eyebrow at the coins his hand twitching involuntarrily.
"Of course."
'The Gods matter my friend. They have a hand in
everything. From before
the cataclysm till now. They have only recently
revealed themselves once
more, but they were never gone. Do you know the stars,
planets and
constellations?'
Raphael says 'Not so much. I killed my
father and my brother because I
got bored with the school they had put me
in.'
Xorn giggles and then laughs, but his tone becomes somber after.
He grasps
the hand of the the thief, and looks upwards to the ceiling of the
tavern,
motioning for Raphael to do the same. He waves his hand in an arc
above
them, and the ceiling simply vanishes, replaced by the night sky. All
three moons shine down upon them, but Xorn ignores them, instead pointing
to
one constellation. He traces a book within it. "That represent Gilean
the
God of the Book, and the master of neutrality."
Raphael nods, but stays
silent.
'Around them were two more star clusters. One was a representation
of
the platinum dragon, and the other represented the chromatic dragon
herself. What do you see my friend?'
Raphael asks 'The Gods?'
'They should be there, but they are gone. Paladine and Tahkisis are
missing.'
Raphael nods softly. "Aye, you are right. I see that..."
'If they are not in the heavens looking down upon us? Then where do you
think they have gone?' Xorn nods as Raphael understands and again grins
wickedly. "You are not alone in this physical world you know. The Gods
have come down from heaven to the world."
Raphael smirks and gazes
into his glass. "And what does this have to do
with me? I'm a bastard thief,
living day to day with what I can steal."
'Your day to day is not yours
anymore, when the sky is empty is it? You
care not for good or evil. You live
from hand to mouth. But soon, and very
soon my friend, one will prevail, and
on earth, not in the heavens.'
Now the spiritual has very real consequences does
it not?'
Raphael falls silent for a long time. "I suppose it does." He
says
quietly, draining his goblet.
'So never ask me again of the little
importance of it. Everything
matters.'
Raphael says 'So you say, my
friend. So you Say.'
Xorn gulps down the last of his goblet before he
refills both glasses once
more with the ancient elven wine. He waves his hand
again and the ceiling
of the tavern returns, the night sky returned to its
proper place.
Raphael says 'My thanks. That was starting to get a tad
unnerving.'
'At last! I finally got your attention.' The dark mage
grins wickedly
at the cutpurse.
Raphael chuckles softly and takes a sip of
the freshly poured wine.
Xorn takes his glass in hand, and bumps it next to
the thief's in a toast.
"You who serve nothing, will see what chaos can do,
and in your lifetime.
You might change your mind about that."
Raphael
bumbs his glass back and smirks. "I might." He says taking a
long drink,
almost draining his goblet. "But Speak fast, or keep that
wine to yourself. A
drunk companion isn't all together a rational one."
'I could use a man of
your talents..........If called upon........would
you be available?'
Raphael says 'If you can find me, then I will be available.'
'Finding you will not be a problem...........' Xorn vanishes from the
place he is sitting, and appears across the tavern, and he waves to the
thief.
Suddenly he is on the other side of Raphael and he taps his
shoulder, then he
is gone again, replaced by a floating figure above, who
pours a little of the
wine from his goblet upon the man. Finally he is
sitting where he was, and all
of this was within seconds.
Raphael shudders slightly. "Please, dont do that
again."
'Since you said........please. But you are on my mystical map
now. I
WILL find you when the time arises.'
Raphael says 'And tell me, What
is in this for me? I am a materalistic
man. Your spirital nonsense is all well
and good but if it doesnt pay, then
you can count me out.'
Xorn hands the
cutpurse the original pouch he stole from the beginning of
the encounter. It
is heavy, and full. "What is here is yours. You will
find
it............quite ample." The wizard smlies as he hands it to the
thief,
and takes his drink in hand, taking another big gulp of the wine.
Raphael
smirks and tucks the pouch away. "Well then my friend. Why dont
we get drunk
and be merry? Me thinks this is the begining of a very
profitable friendship
for the both of us."
'Time will tell my young friend..........Time will
tell.'
FIN
Author: Xorn
Date: Sun Apr 18
00:08:26 2010
Subject (RP) To Lance A Boil. (PT 1)
Ravir drags
himself in, a heavy thud resounding from the templar's plate
boots. Covered in
a mildewed robe, the creature, the size of a man, moves
over toward a wooden
bench.
Isini looks up at the templar but doesn't pay him too much heed.
The Blue Dragon bustles with activity, and all are oblivious that the black
robed mage is there. He waits in the shadows of a corner, partially
corporeal
and partially out of phase with reality, hovering
and......watching. Xorn
looks at the newcomers with........interest.
After positioning himself in a
slumped over manner, Ravir hisses from under
his hood. 'Sorcerer.. your
pressence is most welcome.' The man reeks of
infection and blood begins to
pool near the bottom of his robe and faintly
a crooked smile reflects from the
darkness of the hood over his face.
Isini snorts softly at the word
sorcerer, the monk never liked the term. He
canted his head head to the side
and made sure his ears were covered.
Xorn looks even more interested now, at
both of the new people. One knew
he was there and the other, raditates
something not seen in Neraka for....a
long time. The shadows around him
recede, and his black form takes shape.
He walks to the bench the hooded figure
is sitting upon and almost sits
next to him, but upon noticing the pooling of
blood, walks around the
table, and sits across from him. He simply glares at
the other one,
sizing him up.
Ravir loks over at you, peering at him
through his hood, which seemed to go
on into an eternal sea of darknness.
'You come to take a place within
Lord Pestilence's favored grace have you?'
The man digs a bone clawed
finger into the table and smirks.
Xorn looks
coldly at the dark priest, but the smile on his face is ever
present. His ice
blue holes study the figure, and he shakes his head at
the figure's words.
"You called me out. I came. Speak your....peace
Isini continues to
drink, though his rate has slowed as if he is listening
to the two men.
Ravir slams his fist upon the table and the bottles shake upon it. 'Tell
me
what you cherish, Sorcerer.. I am always pleased to know what one holds
dear.' He hisses this through his hood.
Xorn just laughs as the man slams his
fist down on the table, obviously
pleased he got a rise out of him.
"Wouldn't introductions be in order
first.......before we get down.......to
business? I'll start, since I have
not forgotten manners. My name is Xorn, and
I am not a sorceror. I am a
mage."
Ravir only flashes a devious smile
and retorts. 'My name is of no
concern, Mage.' The man speaks in a harsh
and raspy tone. He quickly
turns to scratch his leg with his own armor, the
more he moves to worse the
smell comes from underneath his robe.
Isini
wrinkles his nose slightly at the smell but puts it out of his mind.
Xorn
turns to the other man, and wrinkles his nose, as if smelling
something, not
smelled in a long time. His smile remains the same, and he
does not answer the
petulant plague bearer, instead giving a friendly nod
to the other man.
'My........friend. You are in the wrong place and
definitely at the wrong
time. You shouldn't be here. You are quite in
danger. Take a moment and look
around.'
Ravir slowly removes his gauntlets, wincing is an appropriate
aura coming
from the man. He snaps his fingers at a bartender and motions for a
drink.
Upon further inspection his hands are covered in boils and old scars. A
lesion on his upper hand moves as if there were maggots beneath. 'Run in
fear, it only breeds power.' The templar chuckles and begins to drink his
drink.
As the deseased man motions the bartender Isini turns and looks at him
fully, wondering where such a man would believe throwing around his disease
would be viewed as power.
Xorn simply......nods to the good man, a silent
understanding as if the
mage had read his thoughts. He turns back to the
plague bearer, and speaks
slowly and dilebrately, but not with malice, or
anger. 'I've heard it
before. Why should I flee from you? You have your
God.........and I have
mine.'
Ravir scratches the side of his face
underneath his hood and whispers
harshly from within, 'Stay if you wish, and
share in his divine ways.'
The templar pulls his hand back from the hood and
dried blood can be seen
clinging to his fingertips.
Isini blinks slightly, he
is starting to wonder if he and the diseased one
were listening to the same
converstaion.
Ravir continues to bleed from his left leg. Finally noticing
the pain
beneath he removes his leg plate, causing an open aroma to come forth
as if
a rotten grave were left open for all to smell. Inspecting his leg, the
templar pulls out a shard of metal harnessed to a leather strap from his
calf
and drops it with a heavy thud on his gauntlets.
Xorn looks back over the
the good one, but his left eye truely never leaves
the plague bearer, and as
the man brings his bloodied hand to his face,
Xorn looks quite disguisted.
The smell then overwhelms the mage, and he
looks with wonder at the man fully.
'It's the one thing I've never
understood about you people, the Morgion
followers. You allow yourselves
to be corrupted by such horrors. And then you
all wonder why no one wants
you around.'
Isini blinks, doing a double take,
then turns away facing the bar again.
Ravir chuckles at those that draw
back in terror and grins in a twisted
pleasure. 'There are many who would
fear the inevitable. Where there is
decay there is disease. You have not told
me of what you Cherish, mage.'
The templar asks through a hiss in his hood.
He motions to the bartender
for a flask of whiskey.
Xorn looks around the
Bar then turns to the plague man. "Why should I
tell you? You wouldn't even
give me a name when asked?"
Isini shakes his head slightly at the
diseased mans words and mutters,
'Disgust is not the same as terror...'
Ravir looks up and says to Isini 'Do watch your tongue, should you wish
poison upon your family.' He scratches his face once more within his
hood.
'Tell me to fulfill my curiosity, mage. A drink perhaps on me will
sway your
mind?'
Isini chuckles, 'And since I do not, by your words I shouldn't
hold my
tongue.' He turns and looks at the two sitting at the table again
more
fully.
Xorn again laughs at the good man that muttered, but his eyes
never leave
the Morgion follower. "I like him. He speaks the truth. You
are......disgusting, an not only for your diseases, but your lack of
etiquette
as well."
CONTINUTED
Author: Xorn
Date:
Sun Apr 18 00:11:14 2010
Subject (RP) To Lance A Boil. (PT
2)
Ravir shrugs to you in little response and pours the whiskey down his
rotting leg. He places the flask upon the wooden table and points a boil
covered finger at you. 'Fear is true power. The Ungod has no comparison.
Be
afraid naught! I offer a deal should you stand my smell.'
'I
Speak.........personally for the Ungod. I am his voice in this time.
Do not
underestimate that. But if you have something to say then SAY IT.
But be
pleasant about it. I am tired of your threats.'
Ravir chuckles and
coughs for several long moments before replying softly.
'Tell me of who is
the Ordermaster of the Black Robes now.. I have a
complaint of a renegade in
these times.' The man reels back and cracks
his fingers.
Isini shakes his
head slightly as the conversation moves past him.
Xorn looks to the good
man, still looking quite quizzically at him, as he
sits at the bar, oblivious
to where he is. He turns to the plague bearer.
"I'll play the game.......but
I want a name to go with your diseased
face."
Ravir hisses from within
his hood. 'Skelsule...' The templar begins to
place his gauntlets back on
his hands and asks once more. 'A minotaur
casting spells in the area has been
spotted a few times. A name I cannot
offer you in regards to whom.' Ravir
looks up at the ceiling curiously
and then looks back to Xorn. 'The
Ordermaster Mage. I seek his name.'
Isini cants his head to the left
feeling Xorns gaze on his back.
'You are a liar. But your master is the
father of lies isn't he. Lies
lead to destruction. Fine, no name for you.
I'll just call you BOIL. The
master's name I will not give. If you truely
care about this......renegade
problem. Simply tell me.'
Ravir chuckles
deviously from within his hood and extends his arm to the
mage. Touching his
velvet robes the templar grins evilly. 'Your words can
be so cruel.' He
says in a sarcastic tone and then his tongue flicks.
'Just as I can be so
cruel.'
Ravir rises up and says 'Skelsule would be the name you will speak
to me
as, should you wish suffering so soon. When I learn more of the rogue
mage,
I will summon for you, Xorn mage of the Black.' He then nods to Isini.
'I reckon we will see each other again.' Ravir turns back to Xorn as he
begins to exit. 'I still look forward to learning what it is you
cherish.'
Speaking to himself, 'In time. In time.'
Isini glances over at the
noise.
Xorn simply nods, and takes his other hand, and removes the skeletal,
bloodied fingers from his. "I suppose so BOIL." The mage walks over to
the good man at the bar, and beings to chant, and when the spell is done he
says. 'You are going home young man. You do not belong here.' He
finishes
the spell and Isini vanishes, and finds himself back in Palanthas.
A whisper
on the wind says into his ear. "I have done you a great
favor."
Isini
shrugs slightly, 'Probably not... Thank you sir.'
The ramblings of the
monk of H'rar follows him out the doors. Ravir's scent
hangs around for a few
minutes after he exits.
And Xorn whispers to himself. "Someone needs
to.....lance that boil."
FIN
Author: Xorn
Date: Fri Apr 30 01:10:09 2010
Subject (RP) Coda.
Xorn
did clasp Nesto's arm and the spell he cast did seem to take the two
to parts
unknown. However it was merely an illusion, in case the sand mage
or her bitch
apprentice returned. The two dark mages remained, for
something
was....overlooked.
Nestos says 'Nothing like a well cast illusion spell
to confuse an
enemy.' He grins and winks as he speaks to his companion.
Xorn grins back. "She told me to to shut up." His eyes looks menacing
again, the ice blue pupils frozen in a very real hate. "One day.......I
will
cut out her tongue." He says the last part not with contempt, or
merely any
emotion. He says it as if it was just..............fact.
Nestos says 'An act
I would not stop, but, I must obtain the rest of my
payment from the rooms of
the other moons. Will you join me?'
Xorn nods and his grin becomes a
smile. "You saw it too then. The fools
were so busy wondering if that
abomination could speak to others....they
missed the obvious." He cackles a
hearity laugh into the temple.
Nestos laughs, "The problem with the
wonderment of creatures, one misses
the magic even in the walls." Nestos
turns down towards the red marble
hallway and walks towards its dimly lit red
domed room.
Xorn follows the renegade elf to the red domed portion of the
temple. His
eyes begin to glow the sickly green once more. He scans the
interior of the
hallowed space. "The sconces. They illuminate each part of
the temple."
Nestos slowly states 'And each is magic of the God who's room
it is.'
He steps into the center of the room and looks up to the roof. He
then
pulls out a red orb, two inches in diameter, and swirling with magical
energy, and grins at Xorn.
Xorn simply nods, and then gestures for the
white and black portions of the
temple. "The God's smile upon you Nestos.
Or so it seems."
Nestos holds the orb out with his hand flat and begins
to chant. He then
pulls out a ruby and holds it in the other hand and begins to
chant. As he
does, the very light of the room seems to be absorbed into the
ruby making
it grow. And at the climax of the spell, the ruby has turned to a
red orb,
swirling with magical energy.
When this is done, the two silently
walk from the red dome, and then down
the hallway to where the objects of
Nuitari were procured earlier. The
Black dome is illuminated with similar
light from sconces. Nestos does not
speak at all this time, but begins the
same ritual this time with a
blackened pearl. Again the light is captured,
turning the stone into a
similar orb, however this one swirls with dark magic.
Nestos says 'One last stop my friend, and then truly we can depart. And
yes, I am lucky to have the blessing of all three.'
Xorn again simply
nods and follows Nestos. He clutches the large sack of
the Ungod's artifacts
close to him, the smile on his lips frozen still.
Nestos walks from the black
hall into the main foyer, "I would recomend
not bringing the sack into this
hallway, Lunitari may be understanding of
the artifacts presence, but I can not
speak for Solinari. And you may not
want to enter yourself. It may be, an
uncomfortable feeling.'
Xorn again simply nods, and stops before the
hallway of white marble. "I
will indeed wait here dark elf. I will remain
until your return."
Nestos now walks down the white hallway and into the
room at the end, from
a far, Xorn can see Nestos hold the black and red orbs in
his right hand
and a small pearl in his left; and again, he begins to chant,
and the light
in the room is absorbed into the pearl, making it grow. At the
climax of
this spell, the light in the temple goes out, and the temple becomes
pitch
black.
Xorn utters the word. "Shirak" and his staff begins to glow
a sickly
green, illuminating him in dead light.
Nestos chuckles, still out
of range of Xorns light, "SHIRAK!" He
exclaims, and the temple is again
filled with light, but is lit by the orbs
now orbitting eachother, each giving
off the light of its color.
'We all got what we wanted I suppose. Happy
ending all around it seems
eh?'
Nestos says 'I would agree, two items
for me, three if the book is
included I suppose. I would say that this
adventure was well worth missing
a little bit of time from the information
game. And speaking of the book,
it is a persitant thing is it not?'
Xorn
winces at the mention of the Desderada, obviously flenching. "You
asked for
it. I provided. You can have it. But soon you may not.....want
it."
Nestos slowly states 'Oh I do want it, and it clearly wants just any
soul. I
plan to make it wait...at least a little while.' Nestos smiles
wryly.
'Some........shortcuts...........get you lost. I'll leave it at that
Nestos. I should return to the towers. But before I do. You get one
item
from the Ungod as promised. He wants us to play a game!'
Xorn cackles into
the heavens, and then settles his gaze upon the renegade.
"You reach inside
the bag, and whatever you pull......is yours."
Nestos steps up to the bag
and opens it, "How I enjoy games of fate."
He reaches his hand in and digs
around for a moment, before pulling out his
prize. In his hand Nestos holds a
bracer, made of chipped onyx. Runes cover
the length of it as well as a
cartouche of the black moon in the center.
'May it give you lifetimes of
happiness.' Xorn looks momentarily sad,
his ice blue eyes, looking down a
moment, but soon the normal smile returns
to his companion. "And with this I
sadly must depart for now my friend.
Places to go, and petty white robed elves
to kill you know.'
Nestos says 'Of course, until we see each other
again, my friend. Good
luck.'
'I will offer her heart to the black
moon, even if it takes me a
lifetime. I Can be patient. Oh yes......very
patient.' With this he
waves, and jumps into a dark corner of the temple, and
he is absorbed into
the darkness.
And as he travels the ether, riding the
wave of negative energies through
time and space, he whispers to himself, and
to his God. "I did not warn
him, as I was instructed. And another piece of
any kindness left inside me
has grown dark."
FINE
Author:
Xorn
Date: Wed May 5 03:32:08 2010
Subject The End
Is The Beginning. (PT 1)
Xorn rests under the Vallenwoods of Solace,
watching the night sky. His
look is serene. It has been almost a week since
the ugliness at the tower.
He holds an orb of sickly green light in his hands.
Noskire wanders lost in the woods, he looks up as he notices the green glow
and pushes through the branches until he spies Xorn, 'You.. I saw you once
before didn't I?'
Xorn simply smiles as the minotaur approaches him. He
remains silent a long
moment before he responds kindly. "You were called to
the tower. I
believe I complimented you on this, before all the abyss broke
lose. Yes?"
Noskire nods slightly towards the human, 'Aye i do believe
so... I am still
unsure exactly what happened in the excitement.' He frowns and
looks at the
orb again.
'A magical battle. One of wills. One
of.......Destiny. It is over now.
The fight had a victor. I would say I
lost.......but that would not
exactly be the truth. It is just how it appears
for now.'
Xorn motions for the larger being to rest beside him. The
sickly green
light from the orb flares brightly a moment.
The minotaur cants
his head to the side slightly and looks at you, 'You
never lose until you no
longer can complain that you lost.. Until then it's
only a minor set back.'
Noskire comments wryly thinking on his past, after
you gestures he sit
Noskire comments wryly thinking on his past, after Xorn gestures he sits
near
the man but makes sure he keeps his eyes and ears open wary for any
hostilities.
Xorn laughs hearitly at the minotaurs words. "You speak the
truth my dark
friend. The truth indeed!" The human puts the orb he was
holding in a
pouch at his side as the newcomer rests beside him. "Solace is a
quiet
place......for now."
Noskire nods slightly, 'Aye though to be honest it
always seems like that
before something happens...' He chuckles at look at
Xorn, 'So that orb..'
Xorn grins at the demihuman. "A way of
seeing.......Magic in its purest
form. A gift from the dark father. " Xorn
looks around the park and the
trees, then finally to the city above. "One day
it will all be in flames.
He has made this known."
Noskire looks around
at the trees, 'It is a forest.. They tend to burn down
a lot..' He looks back
at Xorn as he realizes something, 'Who has made that
known?'
'Don't be coy,
beastman. Who gave you the magic? Who gave you the
desire. Speak his name.
It is important we are clear.'
Noskire says 'Nuitari speaks with you?
Xorn winks at the minotaur. "He reveals to his prophet.......the possible
future yes. Noskire is it? A regal name really. So few of your race are
called to his service." Xorn looks to the heavens and points to the black
moon.
Noskire blinks widely, 'Nuitari has a prophet?' He asks, 'Not to
sound dumb
but... My people don't often talk about Him much.'
'Your people
follow the Condor, Sargonnas. Sargos to you probably. He is
the consort of the
Black Queen, but they do not control the magic. That
is left to the moons.
A moon drew you here, and his name is Nuitari.'
Noskire nods slightly, his
eyes narrowingly, 'You saw Nuitari drew me
here?' He asks darkly, 'What purpose
do you claim he has for me, who does
he want me to kill?' Obviously the
minotaur is used to the ways of Sargos,
the way of war.
Xorn simply
smiles again, nodding to Noskire's words. "The Black
Moon..........it is a
little more complicated my friend. Killing.....yes,
but not for glory. To
accept the magic is take on
additional.......destiny."
'The magic is the
means and the end. It is for it's own sake. Magi do
not particpate in the
great war for political power, or status. We do so
only to further the
magic......the gift you have been given.'
Noskire raises an eyebrow, 'What
do you mean additional destiny?'
'To serve the moon, is to do his will.
And his will is very simple. To
grow his power, and to reap the rewards of the
magic. To pass it on to
those that come after you.'
Noskire nod
slightly, 'How does one grow in power? I assume that is how His
power grows?'
Xorn turns to the heavens, and points back to the black moon.
"Yes........he
begins to understand." Xorn laughs for a moment, not at the
minotaur but with
something invisible. "You begin to your journey."
Noskire looks at the
mage slightly askew, 'Um who are you talking to?' He
looks around but doesn't
seem anything. He shakes his head slightly, 'Can
one grow in power, I've never
learned any new spells in..' He trails off.
'You seek the blackest gift?
The raising of the dead? The healing by
taking? The darkness of the soul?
Necromantic Exctatics?'
Noskire shrugs slightly, 'I seek any knowledge that
allows me to slay my
enemies quicker... ' He looks at Xorn intently, 'If I can
prove that i am a
warrior first maybe my people...' Once again he trails off
but the need for
acceptance is obvious in his eyes.
Xorn cackles again
into the darkness of the park, and then meets the
minotaurs gaze. "In decades,
mere decades, your people will conquer the
elves. The price will be high, but
it is possible. This conversation is
not about that."
'It
is..........more personal. The Ungod wants those who serve him on his
own
terms. Not for your people. Just you. '
Noskire blinks slightly, 'He wants
me... To turn my back on my people?' He
shakes his head, almost unwilling to
believe it, 'I will earn their respect
if I have to kill their warriors one by
one!' he declares.
Xorn shakes his head, negatively to the question.
"He wants you to give
yourself to him, and forget about your people for
now....yes. In return
for your service, he provides the tools. But again this
is personal, and
invitation to you alone."
Noskire looks at Xorn
thoughtfully, 'What is he offering?'
Xorn pulls the sickly green orb back
from the pouch. "This is a symbol of
the power he offers. I see your gaze and
how you covet it. If you want
this knowledge, bow to his will." Xorn holds
the orb out to the minotaur.
CONTINUED
Author: Xorn
Date: Wed May 5 03:35:42 2010
Subject The End Is The
Beginning. (PT 2)
Noskire reaches a hand towards the orb, but hesitates.
'What does he
require in return..' He looks up from the orb at Xorn
distrustfully.
'He requires your soul silly. Isn't that what all God's
want. But he
doesn't sell it, or keep it. He allows it to flourish. But if
you take
this power, you are his, for now and into eternity.'
'Slavery
is a tool Of Sargos and Tahkisis. It is not Nuitari. He gives to
those who
give to him. Symbiotic perfection.'
Noskire blinks rapidly, 'That doesn't
sound too harsh.'
'I have given all I am, all I could be to my God. It can
be harsh. I
will not lie to you. However, the rewards outlast the sacrifices.
It is
all I can tell you'
Noskire nods slightly, 'That is different then
i am used to.. When one
gives Sargos his devotion he gives up a lot of
himmself..' He looks at Xorn
thoughtfully, 'Nuitari sounds like more of an even
trade.'
Xorn simply nods to the minotaur, and again holds the orb out to
him. "If
it is your will, take and drink of the dark river of life. But once
you
have tasted , there is no going back. Do you understand
this...........apprentice?"
Noskire hesitates and looks at the orb again.
After a moment he reaches for
it and brings it up to his lips.
Xorn
reaches out, as Noskire brings the orb to his lips, and clasps his
hands to his
face, holding the orb to his lips. There is a crack and
sizzling of flesh, and
then of spirit, sweet pain digging into the
minotaur as it is absorbed.
As the crack sounds Noskire's face twitches and flinches in pain but he
holds
himself steady, bearing the pain and focusing on the power.
Xorn releases his
grip, as the sickly green light is absorbed, green
flames begin to flare
across the minotaur's body, and
then........recognition. "You are now his
body and soul Noskire. You
belong to the Ungod........the Devouring Dark."
As the flames flare Noskire's body shakes and twitches and he utters a
single
word. 'Nightreaver' And then his eyes flare with a greenish glow and
the flames
fade, though they stain the mane, after all of this Noskire sits
trembling a
look of amusement on his face.
'Good Good. We must have a little more
conversation now. It is important
to know where you and I stand.'
Xorn sighs
and looks troubled, his gaze becoming haggard, his body sagging
after the
exchange of Necromantic power. "I no longer am a part of the
conclave.
Nuitari has called me to something bigger. I Will not bore you
with details."
'I cannot tell you his will for you. This is something you must discover
on your own.'
'You may stay with the conclave, or leave. This is for
you and our God
to work out.'
Noskire shakes himself slightly, resembling a
bull more then ever, then
looks at Xorn, 'For now I believe I will remain.' He
smiles slightly,
'After all they hold more knowledge then any other source and
I will need
all of the knowledge and power i can get.'
'I have lived for
over three hundered years now. I undestand. It was not
my wish to leave, but
it was.....neccesary.'
'Seek Jendaron...........or the one known as
Falkore. But do not under ANY
circumstance mention me.'
You ask 'Do you
understand?'
Noskire nods slightly, 'Aye, and one day I may well follow in
your
footsteps.' He nods slightly remembering the names, 'Aye.'
Xorn
grins, and begins again. "Since you are now his." Xorn points to the
blackened
moon hanging in the sky. "You are also mine. I Will teach you
the secrets I
know as well. You are my........unnofical apprentice as
well."
Noskire
nods slightly, a slow grin spreads curling his lips above his
pointed teeth.
'That is well Master you seem to know a lot i can learn.'
'Good. We understand
each other. You belong now to Nuitari alone. Serving
the Conclave is but a bi
product. Meet me here when the black moon is full
once more. Until then.'
Xorn stands, and simply nods to the minotaur. He walks amongst the trees,
and is present no more.
FINE
The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD
Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.
Authors:
All|
A|
B|
C|
D|
E|
F|
G|
H|
I|
J|
K|
L|
M|
N|
O|
P|
Q|
R|
S|
T|
U|
V|
W|
X|
Y|
Z
Astinus mentions 'We have had over 869 storytellers on Ansalon
pen their epic stories here for all to read.'
\n
