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Post by Inviktus on Feb 16, 2008 12:29:54 GMT -5
Fragments of some other realities have begun impacting the plane in which Talus resides resulting in massive changes to the very fabric of the landscape.
Unrealized by many Peridotia's Port is not quite like it used to be...
Rumors of an extensive section of Peridotia's southern coast extending overnight abound.
Also, far to the North, Snow City has the strangest condition. Some juxtaposition of realities straining against each other. Some visitors report entering an entirely different and larger city...others disagree.
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Post by Lassandra on Feb 16, 2008 13:00:52 GMT -5
Rumors and whispers tell of those who hear a vast cavern echoing with water, the soft lapping waves against its rough walls and the hissing whispers in the dark.
Beware Adventurers. You may find your long vacation over.
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Post by Lassandra on Feb 21, 2008 22:15:41 GMT -5
{{Sneak peak!
Waxeen’s project…}}}
A hint…a whisper…
The Shard Fall Begins.
“Talus, The world of Doors.” She spoke it with finality.
“A shattered world, one of adventure, ruins and secrets.” She continued.
The clear night sky is punctuated by a single bright streak of a falling star. It is followed shortly by another and then another. The starry backdrop becomes a tapestry for an unseen hand. Brush strokes against the sky from left to right.
“A Shard Fall.” She whispered.
The night sky meets with the horizon of the world. The normally calm ocean is now awash with turbulent water. The Shard Fall continues to streak across the sky only to burn up before striking the water. A canopy of trees is in view to the right, lit up by the shard fall’s bursts. The waters race by quickly now as an island comes into view, a settlement on its shores and people staring up into the night sky watching the display. Some are fearful and retreat into the structures nearby, while others merely watch. Their faces turned skyward and not in wonderment, but thought.
“A storm comes. It will herald things to come.” The voice given form, she stands next to another.
The pair is a strange sight. The woman is dressed in blue silk, slacks with a low top to accommodate for the wings of snowy down docked on her back. Her hair, as white as her wings, only part for two brown horns and her goat like ears. Her tail coils around one thigh as she watches the display in the sky. The man next to her is suited head to toe in white, golden trimmings lace the length of his garments. His hood partially obscures his face and wings docked on his back shift with discomfort, perhaps from the armor on them. His presence is tangible and a soft radiance surrounds him and her.
“Another riddle, Lassandra?” he asked, though he expected no answer.
“A twitching of my nose, Aethil. Nothing more.” She replied just as nonchalantly as she was questioned.
Aethil did not purse more. He had come to the realization that pursing Lassandra’s strange phrasings and hints of knowledge only lead to more questions. So he turned and was about to make his way through the port town of Peridotia when he noticed the change. The sleepy village began to waver and shimmer, the field where many adventurers had begun their trek to the challenges was suddenly overrun by a flurry of activity. The blurring forms of people and objects slipped across the field and when they settled. Things changed.
The village was different somehow. His memory screamed at him that it was so. Despite this fact, many merely wandered to and fro unaware that something had changed. The shard fall had vanished and in its wake reality had changed. He turned back to ask Lassandra if she had seen it and found her gone. In the distance, the shore had expanded and a tower with beacon above had formed.
The Shard fall begins.
--------------------------------- …and The Story thus far…
Change. Change can be slow and unnoticeable. Change can be a tide that washes all away in a harsh stroke. Change is… …Frightening.
In the world of Talus the tides of change were churning. The world was once the home to the Ancients who destroyed themselves with their own power. Some say to save their besieged world from the machinations of their enemies. Yet, there are others who say the Ancients reached too far, too fast with technology and power. That which they sought to master and wield, destroyed them. The past should be remembered, not be dwelled on, the Ancients are long gone and their descendants. Humans have never recovered from their ancestor’s demise. The Heroes and Villains of Talus have battled across the world of Talus and in their brief time much has been discovered in the way of power.
Then the Shard Fall came.
The Book… …The Spirit… …The Tear… …The Pages… …The Tinker… …The Oracle… …The…
Other realties are beginning to blur and overlap Talus. Reports of monstrous creatures and very powerful versions of old monsters pour in with frightening regularity. The sleepy port of Peridotia has turned into a thriving port of call. Strange new monuments, ruins and other oddities not normally part of Talus have emerged. Snow city, once a tiny and obscure city in the mountains seemed to transform over night into a fortress.
Yet the Shard fall continues and with it The Whispers:
‘Voices in the Dark, voices in the Light. ‘Answer their call, or fall to the blight.’ ~Lassandra
‘One step forward and two steps back, down the corridor and around the back. When in need, and not in greed. Ha! A drop of blood, is all you need!’ ~Nabalrysear’s playful song to his niece Ialea.
‘Across the sky, to the burning land. A small one finds, a book in the sands. Small and quick it will not be greedy, such is the fate of those this speedy. Questing out of hope or fear, searching for the foreign gods great tear.’ ~Oracle of the Waters
‘In the mouth of a great water serpent, is a great gem that would envy a merchant. Hark! I see the blackened Sand! No! She is here! In this land! Should the fallen serpent rise, one shall face a grim demise. ~ Oracle of the Waters.
‘Blood is need, Law and greed! Harbinger how do you make your garden grow? I have consumed realities to and fro. Make them pay, Make them pay, Make them pay! Then the Mistress shall come play. ~ Unknown
-={Sycallia Plot}=-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- {OOC information follows. Some of this is IC to some players.}
Drawn to Talus by the Ancient’s grave error and subsequent destruction, a force only known as “The Mistress” has been working towards breaching the realty she is in to enter the Talusian one. This event is interactive; the players can make or break it. If the PC heroes of light on Talus cannot find and stop the PC heroes of darkness, then the Needle is sure to arrive.
The Sycallia plot involves a heavy amount lengthy roleplaying. There will be light combat with very strong creatures. This essentially means that the PCs will be fighting fewer opponents but each one will be memorable and defeatable. It must be noted that opponents will be tough and as the story progresses they will become epic. The plot will include heavy RP use of faith. This is not limited to cleric, paladin/blackguard, druid or rangers. It must be noted that this does not make Faith the only route. Please note that Talus is not the Forgotten Realms and their deities, while still respected, will not be the only ones involved. Expect unique Talusian deities to emerge, some of which will make their premier in this plot.
The Sycallian plot will involve many aspects of the Human condition and the grim fact that the Human Ancients of Talus have never recovered from the cataclysm. In a Tolkien sense, the time of humans seems to be waning and questions will arise within the plot about the future of Humanity on Talus. Will they fade out and never rise to power again? Will they simply teeter on the edge of barbarism as they have for the past 2000 years? Only time and you will tell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The story is crafted in such a way that many plot items will be introduced. If these items are brought together or the information properly disseminated, then the players can literally take control of the story. The emphasis I am trying to make here is that I (Waxeen) am only a story teller, the PCs are the stars of this theatrical performance and they can move in any direction that they feel is suitable for the story type. Suffice to say you cannot say “okay I kill everything”, so I have laid out a scant few suggestions:
Suggestions: I. If you receive an item and feel that you might want more information, you may attempt to divine (if your class has this ability consult lore or a GM) or have it divined. (This must be communicated to me please) II. If you want to check some place out in the world you feel is related to the plot AND you have an idea of how to do it. Present the Idea to a GM familiar with the Sycallian plot. You might be surprised at what *Insight* you might glean.
A note from the author: I enjoy story telling so very much, it is one of my life passions and I am happy to share one of my smaller tales with the patrons of Talus. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
~Alex(Waxeen)
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Post by Lassandra on Feb 22, 2008 7:31:40 GMT -5
***** High in the Kitharmin mountains the air ripples like water. The forest and mountains shudder with the Shard Fall, massive trees sprout from the ground and race sky ward. The narrow mountain passes fill with combat and screams. Steel against steel can be heard in the air, a grunt and then shouting. Raised voices on the wind mixed with combat conceal all but a call for retreat. The scene descends into the rippling woods where two armored men pick their way through the rough terrain.
The man in the lead is holding a useless arm at his side and the other is nursing a bloodied leg. They both glance back at the way they came and continue to move forward. That is when the forest is filled with a massive roar. The ground shakes followed by the sounds of splintering wood. The man with the leg wound stumbles and falls, his companion stops, turning around to go aid him.
A massive form blurs into view over the fallen man, an ogre. A club the size of a man descends onto the fallen man and his companion draws steel to attack. That is when dozens of walking plant things tackle the man, they stab him their bare wooden spear like fingers and he falls. The ogre, a massive specimen for its kind, is covered in blistering black sores. It wastes no time in smashing the pile of plant men and the armored man with its great club.
Hoof beats echo in the forest as the ogre reaches down to pick up the first man it had crushed. An armored form on horseback comes into view, sword flashing it quickly cuts down the few remaining plant people and circles. The ogre bellows. Its challenge echoing in the forest. It smashes its club into the ground, shaking its great mane and spraying the surroundings with black blood from its sores.
The rider charges, the blue and white standard of snow city flapping behind it on a cloak. The ogre raises his club and the rider feints, turning away just as the ogre swings. The club smashing into the nearby trees splintering them. The rider circles and charges while the ogres struggles with its tangled club. Sword flashing, the riders steel tastes ogre blood and is away before the ogre can react. Circling back around, the rider’s horse stumbles as dozens of plant men latch on to the steed’s legs.
The rider is sent tumbling to the ground while its horse whinnies in terror as the plant men stab it with sharp wooden fingers. Helm and shield scatter and the rider is revealed to be an elven woman. A muttered oath, a groan and she up in time to raise her sword to deflect the massive club. She and her sword are sent flying across the splintered wood and against a tree. The ogre charges her, roaring in fury, club held high.
A small form appears on the ogre’s head, stabbing at its neck and shoulders. The ogre continues to charge but forgets its club in an effort to remove the stabbing gnat. The woman recovers, her fine blued steel plate having absorbed much of the previous collision, and fetches her sword. In the meantime the plant men begin winding their way slowly towards the fight leaving behind a silenced horse.
“ifin ya don’t mind Lady Cande.” The small form pants as he dodges the ogre’s hands.” Dis lil fella could be using a hand.”
“Would love to, Edge.” she twirls her blade and makes her way to the ogre.
“woulda got ‘ere earlier. “ he hangs on to the bucking ogre.” but dem new trees did nae cooperate.”
Edge’s blade struck deeply and the ogre ceased it swatting, turning to face the elven woman. Cande raised her sword only to have the ogre crash into the loamy soil and slide towards her feet. Edge tumbled off and bowed before her with a grin.
Cande smirked as she turned to face the plant men, Edge stepped up to her side. The plant men scrambled across the loamy ground, the trees and the corpses. Surrounded by these vicious little creatures they braced for combat.
...and the scene pulls away, out above the forest and mountains. The wind carries the sound of a horn and the clash of weapons. Turning away now the scene races by. Across the fields and farms and towards the great city of Lomatin.
The Shard Fall continues.
{updates as I witness them *grins*}
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Post by Lassandra on Feb 23, 2008 12:10:49 GMT -5
~~
A massive dark shape passes over the fields outside of Lomatin. Livestock cry out and scatter as the roar of engines scream across the sky. Farmers, guards, commoners and even nobles stare skyward. This time it is not a Shard Fall but a massive wooden and metal contraption. It belches black smoke and makes a noise akin to a thousand giant wasps. It is shaped like a sea going vessel with many modifications, metal bits stick this way and that and four massive towers hang by thin metal on the sides. A blur of metal on top of them. Those watching the spectacle and not running for their lives can make out the ships’ name, ‘The Starfell’.
The ship speeds over Lomatin city, over the central city and races out over the port. People curse and scatter, they have never seen the like before. The airships’ massive propeller blades beating the wind and its strange smoke belching engine scare many. As the ship passes over the docks, sailors looks skyward in both shock and awe. To sail the sea is one thing, but the Sky? Some of them cheer and yet others mutter an oath as the airship shrinks in the distance, the sound of its engines fading.
“Five! Where are ya!?” A thin dirty blonde haired woman hollers over the roar of the engines on board the Starfell. She wipes soot off her goggles and then on the pants of her overalls. She is covered in soot in fact, she hangs on to a heavily modified ships’ wheel.
“Click Clang Clank!” a sphere of metal with legs, it clicks at the woman angrily. It is standing right next to her.
“No attitude! Get down below and check the Pastry-O-Matic!” the woman says with a laugh.
The tiny machine whirs angrily, clicking as it makes its way down the stern castle and to the hatch. In the meantime the Starfell approaches the tiny island of Peridotia, the inhabitants of which brace themselves for whatever havoc is about to befall them.
~~
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Post by Lassandra on Feb 23, 2008 12:47:59 GMT -5
{For the evils} “She will draw all evil to her.” Whispers the woman. “Flocking to her they will seek to meet their own ends.” “Their own greed.” She continued in hush toned. “That is what she wants.” The whispers fades. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A lone figure picks his way through desert sands with a rigid gait. His blackened clothing and darkened hood mark him as both a target and perhaps one not be trifled with. The inhabitants of the desert scatter and hide as he makes his way through a narrow stone and wind shaped corridor. Upon reaching the end of the corridor he stops and looks at the way he has come. The wind blows through the corridor, picking up sand and lashing at him feebly. Silently the man turns and is about to continue on his way when a whisper on the wind swirls around him. “Does the light taunt you. Altmer.” The feminine whisper swirls around him and in response an eldritch glow erupts around Altmer. “Who speaks to me?” Altmers voice rasps, it is dry and emotionless. It is not from fear. “Why do you let them use you? Why do you mingle with the light lovers?” the woman’s whisper seems to come from behind and then in front. “Show yourself. I am not fond of speaking to the wind.” He stated plainly and a soft feminie chuckle is the response. “I am far. Very far now or I would.” Her whisper turns into an echo. “Who are you?” he rigidly turns in place, the wind whips about him pulling off his hood. Briefly revealing a taut ghastly hued skin flayed against his skull. He replaces his hood. “I have many names. Though you may call me “The Mistress”.” She echoes in the corridor. “I am done with you.” His stiff voice croaks and he begins to move off. “Is that so? Then you are not interested in striking back at those who force you into hiding in desert sand?’ echoing chuckle follows, Altmer stops in his tracks. “It must be tiresome, Great Altmer. To have no place to call home, no refuge to which to develop the full potential of your power.” The echo resounds around him. “I can offer such. A place with a love of the dark, where no light can tread.” “I am listening.” He rasped, his rigid hands clench with the sound of leather and bone. “Waste no time then. Find my Harbinger. The way will open for you.” The echoing fades and with it a cold descends upon the desert. “Find my Harbinger.” The whisper fades. “I shall. “ the cold seems to invigorate Altmer and he moves off with a slackening gait. “and the light shall pay. {{ Calling all Evil RPers! The Shard Fall comes! For too long the light has roamed free with no consequence! Please note that this is a Heavy RP storyline. Yes there is the potential for PVP. I refer you to Talus PVP rule set. worldoftalus.com/modulerules.html }}
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Post by Lassandra on Feb 26, 2008 22:24:54 GMT -5
Secrets
Victor struck one of the Jackal guardians with his sword. The guardian merely pushed the blade through its sandy body. A sand filled backhand struck Victor across the face and he flew backwards. Parex, Sara and Edge fired multiple arrows into the second Jackal guardian with no effect. The arrows flew through its body and clattered behind it. Zyl’s body was enveloped in arcane energies as he struck out at the Jackal guardians, sand sloughed off their bodies as the magic landed. Una hovered nearby Zyl, her song twisting a weave of its own to bolster the companions.
Lassandra picked her way around the combat and reached the Ice Cap mushrooms, she gently plucked them up. She gave the combatants a wide berth, circling around them and attempting to make her way back to the airship. The ground suddenly shifted under her and she tried to get away. Only to fall onto hundreds of shifting blue scales. She clambered away on her hands and knees just as a massive head reared up out of the scorched soil.
A booming voice filled the air. ‘COME INSECTS IT’S TIME!’ A massive body began to extract itself from the scorched land. Una struck an off cord as she fluttered through the air behind Zyl. The land shook and trembled as the impossibly huge blue dragon pulled itself free of the soil. The last of the Jackal guardians fell to dust just as the massive head of the beast lowered itself to ground level. Its size was comparable to buildings… or cities. ‘HAHA!’ it boomed ‘MORE ENEMIES OF THE EMPIRE TO CONSUME!’
The blue beast snaked its impossibly huge head up into the sky with incredible speed. The companions scattered as the head snapped back down and struck at Edge. He disappeared into a cloud of soil and bits of stone. Arrows streaked up from Parex and Sara’s bows. They deflected harmlessly off the beast scales. Zyl fired a barrage of magic that homed on the blue beast and then suddenly changed course to its snout, absorbing all of the eldritch energy.
The companions shouted at each other to run. Aethil descended from the airship hovering nearby and his blade formed in his hand. A strike to the snout gathered the attention of the blue beast on him. The others refused to retreat. Sara and Lassandra drug the unconscious Edge back to the airship. Parex fled in the wrong direction. Zyl and Una back pedaled towards the airship all the while firing off spell and song.
The blue beast’s eyes zoomed in onto Aethil, dwarfing the half-celestial. ‘YOU WILL NOT STOP HER. NO MORTAL CAN.’ The blue beast’s snout and mouth struck at Aethil knocking him across the soil and to Zyl’s feet. Una crashed into Zyl’s helm and hair and muttered an oath that only a pixie would understand.
They three of them retreated to the Airship’s rope ladder and as soon as they were aboard Kay commanded the ship away. It lurched forward banking away from the blue beast and higher into the air. She barked commands at her monodrones and they clicked and whirred angrily at her as they complied. The airship picked up speed and in the distance behind them the blue beast beat its wings and rose into the air.
Once aboard, Lassandra handed the Ice cap mushrooms to Victor. Victor and Catherine in turn tended to Elvawen’s burns. The entire reason they had come so far. Victor called upon his own power to heal instead of maim and Catherine tended. The curative power of the Ice Caps remedied her burns and her fever fled.
‘Hang on!’ Tinker Kay shouted and the blue beast was upon them.
Its bulk blotted out the sky and each time it swatted at the airship. It churned the air causing turbulence so severe it extended hundreds of feet around. The tiny airship rocked and listed in the turbulence, the Tinker barely kept the ship in the air. The entire time the companions were tried to either hold on or use spell and arrow on the creature.
Sara’s sharp eyes scanned the beast desperately for anything that would reveal a weakness. She and the other companions poured over it as it swatted at them. That is when she saw the patch of missing scales and the mechanical parts below them.
‘It’s not a dragon! It’s a Machine!” she shouted at the others. They stared at her.
‘Look at the missing patches of skin!’ she gestured wildly at the blue beast and then hugged the railing.
‘She is right,” Lassandra piped in. ‘It is a machine, I can see mechanical parts in places.’
Catherine and Zyl fired barrages of arcane power. Ribbons of energy struck the blue beast on only a tiny portion of its massive body. The energy redirected itself to its snout harmlessly. A frustrated Catherine turned to the others, the magical attacks obviously being absorbed. Zyl silently looked the creature over, his dark eyes trying to discover some weakness. Elvawen and Victor attempted their magic with the same results.
Una continued to write a ballad about the event, her tiny feet trying to find purchase on the rocking airship. In the meantime Lassandra held onto the railing and watched the massive beast, her nose wriggling.
‘FLY LITTLE ONES! I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU ANYWHERE!’ the blue beast roared at them. The creature began to collect energy at its snout.
Aethil requested rope and Kay directed Five, her monodrone, to acquire it from below decks. Five returned quickly and rolled across the deck tangled in the rope. Aethil, Zyl and Catherine untangled the native of mechanius. It clicked happily at them.
‘Use the Tear on the dragon, Aethil,’ Zyl looked at Aethil and the two exchanged glances with Catherine. ‘Don’t look at me. That thing is immune to Magic.’
Aethil coiled the rope and handed Catherine the other end. They tied off to the ship and launched themselves into the air. Aethil attempted to touch the Tear of Tepok to his weapon with no effect. ‘It is just a matter of Faith,” Lassandra shouted to them.
Catherine attempted to fire another barrage of magic at the dragon and Aethil struck at it, missing. The blue beast fired a beam of energy at Aethil which knocked him back in the air, he tumbled. Catherine dived for him and with the assistance of the rope caught him. The blue beast attempted to side swipe them all and the Tinker countered.
Zyl prayed. He had never done so before but now he did. He turned inward and thought of the lonely spirit of the woman Alissa in the vault below Snow City.
Alissa help us.
Immediately he felt a response.
As you wish, Lord Zyl.
Aethil prayed to Lathander and an aura of divine righteousness sprung up around him, Catherine’s conviction and faith in the Weave enveloped her in arcane power. Victor’s fury and tainted blood enveloped him in an aura of hell forged might. Elvawen’s faith surrounded the group in a nimbus of holy power. Zyl’s arcane defenses suddenly expanded to the entire group. Una’s song flowed out of the pixie like a lions roar. Edge’s eyes focused to supreme clarity and Lassandra witnessed it all. The Tear expanded with a brilliant flash of light and a bolt of raw energy streaked from it. The companion’s energies drained into the bolt as it struck the blue beast. The resulting explosion rippled in a wide sphere of energy that buffeted the air ship. Try as she might the Tinker lost control of her ship. The brilliant flare of light faded, revealing the smoking hulk of twisted machinery plummeting to the ocean below.
In a flash of fire and smoke the engines of the Starfell ceased, the blades of the propellers slowed.
The airship listed, nearly knocking everyone off. The ship descended rapidly towards the ocean. Companions lost their grips on each other and flew into the abyss of water and air.
Much like its namesake the Starfell plummeted into the ocean and crashed.
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Post by Inviktus on Feb 29, 2008 13:26:54 GMT -5
Rumors surface of an abduction of both Aethil and Dante, followed some days later by a dramatic rescue by forces located in Snow City.
Both are now known to be recovering from terrible wounds and imprisonment in the healing hall there.
Involved in the rescue were:
Saltora Catherine Elvawen Victor Lassandra Edge Zyl
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Post by Lassandra on Mar 9, 2008 12:24:33 GMT -5
Among the peoples of Talus, the tale of the Shard Fall that struck the Island of Selune and the massacre that occurred there spread. The few remaining Selunites have issued a reward for the return of the Tear of Selune. The reward will consist of a powerful magical item from their stores. Information about the origin of the attackers is desired as well but the Tear of Selune is the priority. In other news, the evening after the attack on the island a Comet was detected by Astronomer Tan. (Source: www.unmuseum.org/halleycomet.htm ) The Comet is new to the record halls of such sky watchers. The moment the Comet appeared the moon of Talus was covered in blinking lights. Some with the access to Telescopes have said there was a major change in the surface color of the moon. To Red. ‘Blood is need, Law and greed! Harbinger how do you make your garden grow? I have consumed realities to and fro. Make them pay, Make them pay, Make them pay! Then the Mistress shall come play. ~ Unknown
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Post by Lassandra on Mar 9, 2008 15:20:53 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rules~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lassandra entered the commander’s office, nestled deep within the Snow City Barbican. The guard saluted her and she returned the salute. She walked to the report clerk desk and seated herself. She picked out a new sheet of parchment, a set of ink and quills and began to write.
‘To the United Forces of Talus,
The City of Snows, with the permission of its ruling council, formally requests a UFTN meeting be held. There will be several topics and the City of Snows requests that all the peoples of Talus be represented at this meeting. It has come to the attention of the ruler ship that the danger to the world of Talus is greater than one city alone can hold against.
We ask that the following peoples be represented without compromise, the City of Alvar, the City of Lomatin, the City of Mirek, the City of Snows, the Village of Peridotia, the Village of Swordbane, and that all other peoples that we have not mentioned be at least informed of this meeting. So that they may a choice in their attendance.
Organizations on Talus are requested. We request the following be represented without compromise. The Freeblade Legion and the Holy Crusaders.
Due to the recent attack on the Selunites it is our belief that all faiths should be represented at this meeting. A representative of Cthorna and any other faith interested in hearing or participating in the defense of Talus.
This meeting concerns us all. The recent siege of Snow City is not our only reason for calling this meeting. The nature of the Shard Fall, the recent brutal attack upon the Selunites and the recent appearance of this Comet. It can be said, with assurance, that we are not the only concerned party. We should not go quietly in the night and that the defense of our homes and our people should not be left up to the individual.
The finality of the reports coming in concerning the destruction of lives and property cannot be the only reason. It is the finality that our world can be destroyed and that our lives hinge on the simplest truth.
Unity.
We look forward to your response.’
Lassandra leans back in the chair reading what she wrote to herself. She returned the quill to its place and closed her eyes. She would have to present this to Lord Zyl first and make sure that it was acceptable. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She sighed and opened her eyes.
“I will be right there,” Lassandra said. “Dame Lassandra. There is a skirmish in the pass,” a voice came from beyond the unopened door. The guard in the room with her walked towards the door to open it. Lassandra was getting up out of her seat when the door crashed inwards. The force of the event threw the guard back against the wall.
Lassandra muttered a curse in Abyssal and drew her katana. She moved quickly around the desk and to the shattered doorway. She approached the unconscious guard on the floor, katana in one hand. She checked his vitals. He was still alive.
“Lassandra. Your interference has come due,” a woman’s voice said.
The doorway filled with darkness.
“So soon?” Lassandra mocked disappointment.”I thought you had forgotten.”
Lassandra stood up and faced the swirling doorway and darkness. An alarm in the Barbican rang. She heard the hiss of drawing swords and the clamp of boots coming closer.
“Time to join Nabalrysear,” the darkness’s female voice said.
“This will be a fight,” Lassandra said and raised her katana high.
The guards arrived in the commanders office seconds later. They rushed the room only to find the unconscious guard, a shattered door and Lassandra’s katana. The unconscious guard was attended by two guards while the others swept the room.
“Inform Lord Zyl there has been an incident,” the commanding guard said.
He picked up Lassandra’s katana from the floor.
“What in the hells,” the commander barked at the guards.”Lock the Barbican down find the Dame!”
~~~~~~~ ‘Voices in the Dark, voices in the Light. ‘Answer their call, or fall to the blight.’ ~Lassandra
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Post by Inviktus on Mar 9, 2008 19:01:40 GMT -5
Zyl has copies of the letter made and sent to all UTFN leaders.
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Post by Lassandra on Mar 10, 2008 20:31:56 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Check~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brilliant strokes of white marred the sky like an artists brush against the starry tapestry. The early hours of morning were host to the first shard fall in several days. In a torrent of activity it seemed as if the mysterious shard fall was making up for lost time. The priestesses of the Island of Selune looked skyward at the occurrence and quickly made prayer to the goddess Selune.
“Revered Mother there is a shard fall,” a young woman said as she jogged up to the main altar of the temple.
“Yes. I can see that. It is a portent of things to come,” the revered mother said.”So I am told.”
A pair of Selunite warders rushed up the dais to the altar.
“Revered Mother, there has been an attack!” the lead warder said and then paused to catch his breath.
“Where? We shall teach the violators of Selunes wrath!” the younger woman said.
“Ah. They come then?” the revered mother said and then sighed.”Gather up the children and take them to through the tunnel. Protect them understand?”
“Revered Mother we can fight them…” the warder said but was cut off by a tremendous explosion from the temple entrance.
“No. This attack is no ordinary one my child. Now do as I ask,” the revered mother whispered a word of power and the great tome on the altar closed.
“What is going on?!” a frightened man said as he ran up to the dais.
The Selunite warders took off at a run, spurred on by the words of the revered mother and gathered the children. Frightened people followed them. The revered mother was ushered behind the altar dais as five new Seluntie warders rushed up and took positions with the younger priestess.
“Children. No. You must not stay here!” the revered mother called back to them.
“Mother if we do not stand here they will know you fled. Go,” the young priestesses said.
The doors to the temple blew open and swirling patches of red energy bubbled through. They rolled over the stone tiles and across the Selunite warders like a tidal wave. Bravely the Selunite warders stood and quickly they died. Their bodies drained into desiccated husks. Priestesses rushed forward with spell and mace but could not stand against the assault. They too fell and the swirling vortices hurtled forward towards the dais and altar. A great blue scalled hulk rippling with eldritch energy squeezed through the temple doors with a plop. It shuddered and rolled towards the dias. A set of stunted wings, pair of claws and a long snake like head formed.
“AH. FREE AGAIN!” the monstrosity shouted.
The swirling patches of red energy swarmed everything in the temple. Trees wilted, furniture was burned and finally they swarmed the dais. The Selunites put up their weapons and were swept over the sides. The brutal swarm drained them all, desiccated corpses rolled down the steps. The monstrosity slithered over to the dais and then up its steps. Once at the top it reared its head up and gagged. It slowly spat up a long spire of cast iron. Gripping the spire with its mouth it slammed it and its head into the dais altar, then pulled away.
“PROTECT THE LANCE. KILL THEM ALL!” the blue hulk shouted.
The monstrosity coiled around the spire. The cast iron device crackled and began to absorb the living vortices of angry red energy. Each consumed vortex swelled the spire with vibrating energy.
“TAKE THE TEAR. MAKE THE CRY FOR IT!” the monstrosity shouted and then began a deep rumbling laughter.
The monstrosity uncoiled from the spire. It licked the length of the spire and slithered its bulk off the dais. Streams of red energy began to siphon off from the bodies of the fallen to the spire. Sheets of black sand rolled off the spire and washed over the dais.
A dark clothed and hooded man, swathed in crackling energy appeared in the doorway of the temple. He pointed at one of the red vortices of energy and it burst into sparks. He stepped through, an elven man and human woman on his heels. The elven man was wielding dual blades and the woman had sword with shield. A tiny fairy poked her head from out of the man’s hood. Another elven woman, eyes wide, stepped through the doorway with her lute in hand. She missed a note upon seeing the destruction before her.
“I’m going to silence whatever is shouting,” the dark clothed man said and then charged through the swarm. His magical wards flashing as he came in contact with the red energy blobs.
“Victor wait for us!” the woman said as she charged through the path that Victor had made.
“Wima Nifa!” the fairy shouted as she hung on to Victor’s hood.
“Victor charges, Trinity charges, Parex charges, Mi hangs on and Naniel sings again,” the bard said then grinned.
They fought through the swirling vortices of red energy and to the temple center where they met the monstrosity. Victor attacked immediately, and Mi, the fairy, tumbled back into Victor’s hood. Trinity attacked the monstrosity, Parex slipped around it and Naniel looked up at the thing. Its head brushed the ceiling and dislodged stone and mortar.
The adventurer’s blades could not cut the hide of the beast and they retreated a few steps. It reared its head and took a deep breath. Victor, Trinity and Parex scattered as the monstrosity breathed crackling energy upon where they stood moments before.
Naniel shielded herself, missed a cord and mutter an oath because of it. Victor turned and summoned a spell, Trinity back pedaled away from the monstrosity’s’ breath weapon. Parex slipped back into the shadows and made his way back around the monstrosity.
The spire suddenly burst into a shower of red energy, ribbons of power rippled across the dais as it dislodged itself. The spire hurtled into the ceiling, punching through it and continuing on into the sky.
“YOU ARE TOO LATE. THE LANCE IS COMPLETE!” the monstrosity cackled.
Victor finished his spell and with one utterance the monstrosity was torn asunder. It crashed to the tiles shattering them. The corpse quickly turned into black sand and rolled off of it in sheets.
“d**n!” Victor exclaimed as he reached the dais and looked up through the hole in the temple ceiling.
“This might be bad,” Parex said as he peered into the hole that the spire made during take off.
The Spire.
The Lance.
It rocketed into the atmosphere of Talus and into the beyond.
The Lance of the Cosmos is in play.
Check.
Two moves to Check-Mate.
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Post by Lassandra on Mar 12, 2008 5:25:25 GMT -5
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Post by Lassandra on Mar 18, 2008 21:14:29 GMT -5
Lance of the Cosmos
Zyl entered his home. The bubbling foyer fountain greeted him with the soothing sounds of water. Mimi, the mysterious cat, darted between his legs and rubbed up against him before darting away through the curtain shrouded doorway to the main hall of the house. He made his way into the hall and yanked off his cloak as he did. Tossing it on to a bench he continued on his way pass the hall dining table and into the corridor beyond.
A great deal had happened today. He and several other Talus heroes had finally struck a decisive blow against the mysterious Will. The raid on the Shadow Legion hold had gone well and the destruction of the Will’s base of operations there was a victory Talus needed. The disturbing find of huge amounts of cast iron ingots, Etherealium cloth and Obsidian weighed heavily on his mind.
Then there was the Tear of Selune. The Selunites had offered a reward for the return of the Tear, not of two tears. The Tear of Tepok’s loss of power was also on his mind. What was the connection? Why did the Will need the Tears of Selune?
Zyl, lost in his train of thought had gone done the corridor, up the stairs and entered his research library on the second floor. He had begun changing out of his traveling clothing and stripping himself to the skin. He was most definitely drow his black skin rippled with tone muscles underneath. A full head of stark white hair gave him the hauntingly handsome look of his heritage.
He padded over to a large free standing oil basin and began to ritually dab the arcane enhanced contents on to his skin. He covered himself from head to toe and encased within the slick coating of arcane fluid he padded over to the center of the library. A red garment lay over the top of a pedestal.
He pulled the robe off of the pedestal revealing the resting place of a large glowing crystal orb. The garment in stepped into and shimmied up his slim body. The garment was more of a long tube like cloth which draped him from just below his well defined chest to his bare feet. He stretched both hands over the orb, avoiding direct touch, and murmured an incantation. The orb immediately lifted a few inched above the pedestal and began to audibly throb with arcane power.
He snapped his fingers and two small tear shaped gems marched out of his discarded belongings and over to his ready hands. The Tears sparkled as he turned them over in his hands. Their inner light was reminiscent of a distant thunder storm. The orb’s clear color swirled with a red cloud indicating it was ready. He dropped the Tears one at a time on to the orb and they began to swirl around the orb, settling into elliptical orbits around it.
Zyl took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Hands extended over the orb he began to recite words of arcane power, the power of divination. The tiny Tears whirled around his scrying orb with speeds that blurred them out of sight. He finished the incantation with his arms over the orb and suddenly there was an audible popping sound. Suddenly Zyl’s mind was no longer in his body but afloat in another realm.
Zyl saw a vast underground ocean, its cavern ceiling miles high and the walls were out of visible range. The underground cavern’s ocean was calm. Its soft motions lapped the outcroppings of rock here and there with a soothing sound. In the distance, of what seemed to be the center of this underground ocean lay a hurricane.
The storm was a massive swirl of grey clouds, flickering lightening and wind. The sound of the wind whipping around it could be faintly heard coupled with the thunderous boom of the lightening.
This is had to be the Vast.
The Vast is, as Alissa had explained to him and Isis, the psionic warren of nightmare and dreamscapes for mind mages. Psions.
The massive hurricane had breaks in it and even at this distance Zyl could see, no, he sensed the Tears swirling inside of it. He commanded his mind to move him and his dream self moved. He hovered just above the water’s surface and he began to make his way towards the storm. He picked up speed as he approached the storm and began to realize this was not of his doing.
Zyl commanded himself to slow but he could not. He made a desperate turn and could not. The hurricane enveloped him and pulled him away from the surface of the water and into the body of the storm. Spinning topsy-turvy he gritted his teeth as he tried to regain control and was spit out into the eye of the storm.
It took him a moment to regain his senses as he reoriented himself and looked upon the tears. They whirled around a massive gem in an elliptical orbit. The gem in the middle looked very much like the Tear of Tepok. Zyl had only a moment to ponder this before a set of massive hurricane sized golden eyes formed inside the eye of the storm. They looked upon Zyl and suddenly he was expelled from the Vast.
Zyl’s mind was slammed back into his body. The Vast dreamscape vanished with an audible pop and he nearly crumbled with the flashes of pain in his mind. Alissa was there, steadying him her eyes full of compassion. He furrowed his brows in confused and opened his mouth to ask.
“Stop!” Alissa screamed and then vanished.
Zyl came to his senses quickly jostled by Alissa’s scream. He summoned a protective barrier around him. The Scrying orb shook, the tears around it still orbiting, and the entire room rippled like water as a figure formed opposite of Zyl. A woman, golden eyes burning with a fierce light stepped through the rift. Bare feet padded on the carpet towards Zyl. She wore a fine green silk drape, embroidered with gold thread. As she examined the library and then Zyl he could make out the shapes of oriental style dragons embroidered in gold.
“You are a meddler,” the woman said. The sound of her voice was overwhelming.
The room filled with a pressure forcing tears to trickle out of the corners of Zyl’s eyes.
“I do appreciate your efforts,” the woman spoke again. Zyl gritted his teeth. Each time she spoke her presence filled the library like a tidal wave.
“Who are you?” Zyl managed to say.
“I am the Mistress,” her voice was a commanding klaxon of power.
Zyl reeled from her radiance. It was both beautiful and terrible.
“I am the Will,” she said.
Zyl barely managed to summon another protective ward.
“You have become annoying, Zyl,” she said.
“What do you want?” Zyl said through gasps. He scrambled to draw his power.
“The subjugation of all that lives or that has ever lived,” she said and again Zyl’s wards buckled under the might of her voice alone.
“Begone!” Zyl said as he summoned his strength.
The woman merely raised a hand and the Scrying orb filled with a storm, the lightening within threatened to escape. It pinged against the inside of the crystal. She chuckled lightly.
“I will leave when it suits me,” she said and she smiled at Zyl.
“Then tell me what the Tears are,” Zyl spoke and as he did pearls of sweat rolled down his body.
“The Tears are mine. They always have been mine,” she said and laughed lightly.
“Your companion Aethil enjoys its power,” she said and smiled before continuing.”When I consume him I can only hope that our daughter will console you.”
She stepped backwards into the rift smiling, her body vanished but her terrible burning golden eyes lingered.
The pressure in the room left then. Papers fluttered from bookshelves and stuck to his sweat lathered body. He noticed the humidity in the room for the first time and then the perfume. The likes of which tickled Zyl’s nose and other things, that made him growl.
Alissa appeared with an audible pop as the air was displaced and she collapsed onto the floor. Zyl was at her side in a heartbeat and scooped her up in his arms. She was heavy, it reminded him she was not human, but she was also soft and warm.
“I am sorry, Zyl,” she said in a whisper to him.
“I could not stop you in time,” she said and closed her eyes.
“Alissa?” Zyl said with concern and looked her over.
Zyl was silent for a time. He had no idea what to do to help Alissa there was something wrong and he was afraid to leave her to get help.
Alissa touched his cheek brining him out of his silence, almost as if she had read his mind.
“I will recover. I was not prepared to face her early,” she responded a warble in her voice as if something within her was damaged.
“What happened? What can I do to help you?” Zyl was definitely concerned.
“You stared into the Storm of the Vast and the Will stared back,” Alissa explained. “The Will and I fought. I was not prepared.”
“I am sorry Alissa,” Zyl began to apologize but Alissa placed her fingers softly on his lips.
“There is no need to be sorry. Some good came of it,” she smiled eyes closed, her body twitched.
“I..” Zyl began again.”What are the Tears?”
“They are the remains of Xyra’Ustan, The Will’s father.” Alissa explained.”When we fought I was able to see some of her surface thoughts and she some of mine.”
“What is the Will then?” Zyl shifted Alissa into his arms and lap.
“You just met her,” she replied.
Zyl pondered this a moment and things began to come together like puzzle pieces. The daughter of Xyra’Ustan, the over deity of Gid’Ustan. The Will of the Gate. the destruction of Gid’Ustan by the hands of the daughter and the hand of the Will.
“The comet is the Harbinger’s weapon,” she said and her body twitched.”It will strike Talus within five days.”
“Alissa how do we stop it?” Zyl inquired obviously worried.
“You have choices. Hard choices,” she answered.”The Tinker’s plan will not work, she means well but the Comet is a weapon meant to kill me.”
“What? “ Zyl exclaimed and then realization dawned on him. “…the spear.”
“Yes, the Lance of the Cosmos. The same weapon that the daughter used to slay the father,” Alissa explained.”The weapon forged to kill a god.”
“How do we stop it then,” Zyl said his voice hardening.
“Choices,” Alissa said and sighed.”Assemble the journal of Islyen.”
“The pages where can we find them?” Zyl said and sighed.
“The pages are decoys,” Alissa said and then continued.”The Will generated them to cause confusion.”
Alissa explained: “The Journal of Islyen and the Tear of Tepok are all that is needed. Tepok is not actually involved the Will assumed the guise of the traveler to sow more confusion.
The Tear is an actual remnant of Xyra’Ustan. Its crystallized remains are intermingled with the original pages of the Journal of Islyen. The rules of the game allowed the Will to forge this object so long as I would have the ability to utilize it at some point in the game.
There are costs, sacrifices to be made in order for one side or the other to use the Tear and the Journal. The Will can use the Tear to corrupt the bearer with lust for power, delaying the assembly of the Anchor of Talus and speeding up the time in which she can breach the gates of the Nexus. This is the same Anchor Doctor Peridotia sought to separate and hide from the enemies of Talus.
I can use the Tear through the heroes of Talus to slow the Will’s machinations. The Journal of Islyen can be reassembled when the genuine tears of someone are shed for Islyen. These tears shed on the Tear and Journal will cause them to recombine. The pieces of the shattered Anchor of Talus will form and the Comet will be stopped.”
Zyl looked over Alissa’s twitching body with concern. Alissa warbled she most definitely damaged.
“This game will claim my last companion. I began with two,” she said and opened her eyes. “Islyen will pay for this with her final end,” she said softly.” and the Will be delayed for a time.”
Zyl closed his own eyes. He imaged a game of chess with gods playing piece for piece.
”The other option is to not assemble the journal,” Alissa said with a tremor in her voice.
“I would never allow the comet to destroy Talus,” she said and the tremor remained.”The Will knows this and I know the comet will end me.”
Zyl sighed and pondered the choices.
“Can we defeat the Will without you? Zyl questioned and cursed himself for how it came out.
“You have met her. Do you feel that you can defeat her?” Alissa said, rhetorically.
“There is no other way?” he queried.
“No,” she replied.
~~
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Post by Lassandra on Mar 19, 2008 19:28:58 GMT -5
@@extra! EXTRA!@@
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Eyewitnesses report giant angel swats Comet Tan out of the Sky!
* The comet is gone. In its place remains a ring of white dust and multi-colored particles. The ring can be seen from almost any place on Talus. Night or cloudless day.
The Rumor Mill Grinds. Some say that a giant angel flew up to the comet with sword in hand and did battle with the comet. Destroying both in the end. While others say an ancient weapon fired from Snow city and obliterated the comet
Whatever the truth of the matter is. The Comet is gone and with it the abnormal tides and poor fishing catches. The moon returned to its normal color of bone white.
A less know report:
A child was born to two human parents in Snow city. They named her Neylsi. Born under the omen of the white ring she is considered blessed.
The White ring lasts for 30 days.*
{Short Story updates will lag about a week now. Sorry!}
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