|
Author
|
Comment
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1185
(5/7/06 21:42)
68.93.73.69
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
"Agreed. But were we expecting safety?" Damian said, hanging back so that he remained comfortably shrouded in shadow... and rubbed his invisibility ring for comfort. It probably was going to see a LOT of future use.
|
Kai 
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1116
(5/7/06 21:47)
159.242.10.223
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
James and Stephan find that the stairway at the end of the hallway goes down for the usual 12 or so steps before there's a wall. Nothing else. Just a wall.
The surrounding foundation rumbles just a little. It's like a deep growling or groaning noise from deep in the earth around the structure.
|
FF Fanatic 80 
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2000
(5/7/06 21:50)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
"...watch yourself." Stephan says to James, still shining the light around. He tries to see if anything in paticular is moving, since it sounds like part of the walls or floor is trying to.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1117
(5/7/06 21:56)
159.242.10.223
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
Nothing seems to be moving. Stephan can place a hand on a wall and it feels solid enough, if at least as warm as his own flesh. There's enough room for two or three people to stand close together at the bottom of those stairs, which is actually a lot larger than it looked from the top.
Beyond that, it's black, and appears to be a dead end.
Eve goes in behind Stephan and James, while Myrnal hangs back with Damian. Myrnal seemed to be keeping some distance from Damian, but with two people as stealthy as Damian and Myrnal both in a dark hallway, it was hard to tell sometimes.
Edited by: Kai at: 5/7/06 21:58
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2001
(5/7/06 22:19)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
"...I don't like this. Not one bloody bit." Stephan comments aloud. He decides to spend a few moments concentrating, to see if he can sense anything arcane. *Something* was going on, but they couldn't see it.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1118
(5/7/06 22:27)
159.242.10.223
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
Stephan finds that much of this building looks very strange on the astral plane. It definitely has an aura, suggesting that it's at least somewhat magical. It also appears strangely...mutable. Astral energy is flowing in and out of some of the walls. Others simply sit and hold up the ceiling. There's a definite transmutation vibe coming from what magic Stephan does sense.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2002
(5/7/06 22:30)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
He relays this to the others, and gives a slight shrug.
"There's definitely some kind of magic going on with the walls... I just have no bloody clue what exactly it's doing." he tells the group.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3646
(5/8/06 21:53)
72.152.140.145
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
"That is no good," Kei muttered. "Can you tell how strong it is?"
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 5/8/06 21:54
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1186
(5/8/06 23:08)
68.93.73.69
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
"... if we weren't expecting it to be dangerous, I'd almost feel at home here." Damian chuckled.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1131
(5/8/06 23:45)
159.242.10.223
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
The magic is pretty strong. Strong enough for some of the walls to be pulsing on the astral to the point that they look like they're breathing. Other walls are totally nonmagical. The location of the magical walls changes, but they're never all magical or nonmagical at the same time. The walls aren't physically moving. None where they are have done anything offensive at all besides groan a little.
On the astral, however, the magical auras are flowing from wall to wall. Stephan can't use the astral vision like an x-ray to tell him what's going on beyond his direct area, but that's what he can see about his immediate zone.
Myrnal glanced over at Damian and quirked an eyebrow. She grinned and looked back ahead, choosing not to comment, but plainly in agreement.
Edited by: Kai at: 5/8/06 23:52
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2003
(5/8/06 23:57)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
"That's... really fucked up." Stephan comments, after concentrating again for Kei, "The magic's... sorta jumping from wall to wall. And pretty damn strong, from what I can tell. I still don't know what exactly it's doing, though."
Edited by: FF Fanatic 80 at: 5/8/06 23:58
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2006
(5/10/06 8:17)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Well, someone has to do something ehehe >_>;
Since the group seems a bit indecisive at the moment, Stephan sighs and approaches the wall directly ahead. Assuming nothing immediately tries to beat him senseles, he waits and watches the arcane energy jumping between the walls.
When it enters the wall before him, Stephan reaches out and places a hand on it, watching for some kind of reaction.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1132
(5/11/06 21:28)
4.225.31.242
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Well, someone has to do something ehehe >_>;
The wall is, for a short time, enchanted in some way, but being in physical contact with it doesn't seem to have any effect.
As the others catch up to Stephan and James, Myrnal peeks over Stephan's shoulder. "If we're done caressing the walls, there's a staircase over there and a door that we passed on the way in."
Eve stood near the back, looking around at the walls. "Some of this is psionic, but other bits must be magical. That would explain why I can't make head nor tail of it. Magic isn't my thing. I can't figure this one out, so shall we move on?"
|
Archmage144 
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4597
(5/11/06 22:00)
4.225.31.242
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Well, someone has to do something ehehe >_>;
"As long as none of us are apparently going to die a horrible death by walking down these stairs," commented James, "I'm really not that concerned about it. Then again, there doesn't seem to be anything immediate down there, so I suggest we try a more obvious route."
He stepped back to the door and reached out to open it.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1133
(5/11/06 22:11)
4.225.31.242
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
DON'T PANIC
The door is locked, but fortunately doesn't seem to have been animated, covered in contact poison or anything else more unpleasant. James unlocks it pretty easily, because he's actually pretty damn good at it.
The room beyond fits the profile of the hallway pretty well. The walls are doing that thing, and the room seems totally empty.
If James peeks his head in, he can see that on the wall to the right of the door is a window. Now, theoretically, that wall should be the back wall of the room where they fought Rendon and Rilla. The party is presumably still close to that room, as everything is still in shades of grey. Nonetheless, in what should be the blank back face of another wall...is a window. It seems to be looking into another black room.
(Unfortunately, I cannot make a map of this dungeon, since as I'm sure you can imagine I've already broken the dimensional limits of my photoshop with this one. You won't get lost. I promise.)
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4598
(5/11/06 22:13)
4.225.31.242
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: DON'T PANIC
James blinked. He blinked a second time. When he was satisfactorily confused and certain that blinking was not going to make the horrible dimension-warping architecture go away, he shrugged and proceeded to walk down the hall.
Maybe if I don't believe it's real it won't hurt me even if there are traps in the hall, mused James. Every law of spatial reality is being bent anyway.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1134
(5/11/06 22:19)
4.225.31.242
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: DON'T PANIC
James goes in the room, and there's nothing in there but a window into another room. That room appears to likewise be empty.
The room he's in appears to be totally useless, and it doesn't even have carpeting. It's just bare and black and has a window. The door where he came in is exactly where he left it, and if he didn't know there was supposed to be solid wall right where that window was, it would be totally unremarkable.
(Hey. Brian told me you needed a map and maybe he's right. So here's one.
Edited by: Kai at: 5/11/06 22:52
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1192
(5/11/06 23:31)
68.93.73.69
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
 REALM OF PHYSICS!
Damian walks after James.. doing the best he can to stay out of the light. Might as well stay in my element he thought as he did.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3654
(5/12/06 1:54)
72.152.140.145
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: REALM OF PHYSICS!
Kei creeped in after the two men, and glanced at the mysterious window. "I wonder," she murmered, "What that's supposed to lead to?"
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2008
(5/13/06 8:23)
12.172.69.2
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: REALM OF PHYSICS!
Stephan decides to move toward the window, focusing again for anything arcane in nature. He's curious if this window is doing the same thing as the walls, before he goes poking around at it.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1136
(5/13/06 11:50)
159.242.10.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: REALM OF PHYSICS!
The window isn't doing anything that everything else in this place isn't. Occasionally some magical energy will flow through the wall, but beyond that it's just sitting there being a window.
It's possible, to anyone familiar with three-dimensional space, that the unusual properties of the walls are allowing for nonsense like the room beyond that window. After all, two rooms can't occupy the same space without some major meddling on either the magical or psionic wavelength. Well, what are the mages seeing if not some major enchantment going on?
It's a possibility. No telling if it's the correct one, but it would occur to a mage as at least a potential answer.
Eve walked past Stephan and Kei to the window. "Oh, for fuck's sake. My sister has a terrifying basement. I get it." She laid a hand on the bottom pane, and when nothing horrible happened to her, she unlatched it with her other hand and opened the window. It was easily large enough for one person to fit through at a time, and there really wasn't anywhere else to go.
Eve put a hand through the window to make sure there really was a room on the other side. She peeked in one more time. "Well....Fuck it. I guess I'll go first." She blinked out on the party's side of the wall and reappeared inside the window. The party heard her speak from the other side. "Well, that's weird. There's another door in here. Otherwise this room is empty, too."
Myrnal rolled her eyes. "Fantastic. We get to navigate the impossible underground architecture of our enemies. This is going to be awesome." With that, the ninja ducked through the window as well, following Eve into the dark room beyond. Myrnal was rather hard to see with only the light of stephan's torch shining through the window, and became even more difficult to see when she backed into one of the unlit corners. Damn ninja and their damn shadowy corners.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2009
(5/13/06 21:40)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
I sense a subtle hint to haul ass =[
Since the two ladies seemed fine, Stephan waits for the others to go through the window. Normally, he'd be raring to go in first. However, he decides against that for now, since he's the only source of light at the moment for both rooms.
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1194
(5/13/06 22:01)
68.93.73.69
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: I sense a subtle hint to haul ass =[
Damian just calmly steps through the portal. You know, it could be worse. Oh? Worse how? It could be a giant eye. ... well, I suppose that makes sense. Eyes being windows to the soul and all. You're supposed to LAUGH. Sure, say something funny and I just might.
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4599
(5/14/06 2:07)
4.225.25.1
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: I sense a subtle hint to haul ass =[
This is absurd, noted James before following Damian through the window. The stupidity of this arcane architecture is incredible. Who the fuck decides to use windows instead of doors and fill rooms with dead-ends and topological impossibilities?
James muttered idly to himself as he crawled through the offending portal.
If I ever become an evil overlord and I build a ridiculously improbable fortress, I hope some disgruntled Gunnir physicists show up and murder me in my sleep, because I think I'll deserve it.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3658
(5/21/06 0:33)
72.152.141.218
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
There's no law, no law anymore...
Kei followed after, drawing her katana. Just in case there was some lurking horror waiting for them, it was best to be prepared.
...and if nothing else, it certainly made her feel more secure.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1140
(5/22/06 11:46)
4.225.30.145
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
As the others joined Myrnal and Eve in the other room, they saw that it was more or less as it had been described. Entering through the window, the door was on the left wall.
The door in there wasn't locked, so Myrnal held a knife at ready and opened it to reveal.... nothing. Well, not nothing. Just a really long hallway. Party members with a good sense of direction would note that it leads away from the entrance and toward the back end of the compound.
The hallway was the same temperature as the rest of the basement, but it wasn't agonizingly hot. Just... a little warmer than one might like. Anyone entering the hallway would notice that there don't seem to be any doors branching off just yet. The hallway just goes straight on, and once or twice the walls made that deep groaning noise.
After several minutes of walking and no doors, the party hit a bend in the hall. It turned to the right and went another several feet befre ending in a set of double doors. The floor between the bend in the hallway and the door beyond was covered in small glowing handprints, as if the children had been fingerpainting with random glowy shit. The light they cast over the party was pale and not all that helpful. Add to that the fact that everything was still totally colorless and you'll have a pretty good image of what this stretch of hallway.
Myrnal stared at the floor and blinked a few times before pressing the palm of one hand to her forehead. "Something is fucked. I mean, beyond the obvious glowing indications." For the record, Damian and Kei could feel it, too. There was a very weird presence in this area, and whatever was down there.... it was clear that the party wasn't welcome.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3668
(5/22/06 16:44)
24.99.240.219
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
"Something is wrong, yes," she said. Her eyes darted between Eve, James, and Stephan, the three who seemed to have the most experience with the otherworldly. "Can you sense anything odd?" she asked them.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1141
(5/23/06 2:15)
4.225.29.111
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
The others didn't sense anything beyond the weird magical flux in the foundations. The markings on the floor were magical, of course...but they didn't seem to be doing anything but glow at the moment.
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4601
(5/23/06 20:43)
4.225.28.125
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
James stared blankly at the glowing handprints on the floor. This deep in the enemy base it was improbable that the markings were simply children's finger paintings. He'd heard of magical sigils or runes that activated under specific trigger conditions, everything from merely being read to being touched. It was possible that this was one of those sorts of traps. Since the markings took the form of handprints, it occurred to him that either the key was to use the prints to open the door...or perhaps that the prints were a trap intended to destroy intruders.
The half-incubus shrugged and knelt down in front of the handprints, muttering to himself as he pressed his hands onto a corresponding set of glowing markings. "Here goes nothing," he sighed.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1142
(5/23/06 21:08)
4.225.28.125
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
James could hear the stone doors slowly grinding across the floor to open, but he also felt something really uncomfortable sweep over him. It's like that cold shiver when someone drops ice cubes down the back of one's shirt. The feeling passed after a moment, and didn't seem to return. As the crack in the door widened slightly, bright light came through the door. Not only that, after so long wandering around in Dawn's colorless fortress, it must be nice to see some color. Through the crack in the door about six feet away, the party's first impression was of the color green.
The room beyond seemed to be filled with trees and greenery, yet another testament to Dawn's love of fine landscaping. However, the door wasn't completely open, and the party would still have to get there in order to enter the room beyond.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2014
(5/27/06 21:33)
24.34.196.199
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
Stephan looks at James, then at the door.
He didn't like this at all. It would take a few of them lying on the floor, in a very vulnerable position, to get this thing open. And there was no telling if they'd be able to get up and through quick enough. And who knew what could be lurking around, waiting to stab them in the back while they kneel down.
...but paranoia was not going to get the bloody thing open.
"I'm gonna give this a shot too, just keep an eye out for company, and what the door does." Stephan tells everyone.
He walks over, finding another set of hands near James. He kneels down, placing gauntlet-covered hands over the glowing prints. He watches the door to see what happens.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1147
(5/27/06 22:12)
65.175.228.200
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
The opening to the room beyond widened, and over the floor of handprints, Stephan could see still more sunlight and trees. It might actually be the entrance to that crevasse back behind her base that they'd seen coming in. The party must have walked a pretty good distance to get this far into the valley.
Stephan had enough time to see the door open before the same feeling came over him that James had just discovered. It was like cold fingers with sharp nails grating down the middle of his back. It passed, and he found himself more or less as he'd been before he placed his hands on the floor.
Seeing that the door wasn't totally open just yet, Myrnal sat down beside Stephan and repeated what had worked for him and for James. He could see her shudder as she presumably met with the same sensation as the others, but her added effort had opened the door the rest of the way. The double doors opened onto a corridor of trees and carefully cultivated undergrowth. The loose pebble pathway continued straight forward until taking a turn to the right.
Myrnal sighed and stood, turning to survey her companions. She spoke in a low voice. "So... a question before we go in." She ran a hand through her hair briefly. "You guys talked to Archmagus Lee, right? You said you got some help from him. What did he give you?"
She looked from one to the other of them, from James and Stephan near the painted floor, to Damian, to Eve, and finally to Kei who was carrying in her pack the crystal anchor Malachi had given them.
Edited by: Kai at: 5/28/06 0:45
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3675
(5/27/06 23:25)
24.99.240.219
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
"Our 'help' is something we should keep quiet about, so she will not be able to plan ahead," Kei replied. "Rest assured, though, that we will know what to do when the time comes."
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1148
(5/27/06 23:36)
65.175.228.200
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
Myrnal cocked her head to one side. "Hm. A surprise, then."
Eve's head came up as something caught her attention. "She's nearby. Or just was. I could sense her teleporting. I don't know where she is, but for a moment she was close enough that I could feel her movement."
Myrnal's jaw tightened briefly in irritation, but when she spoke her tone was soft and carefully-controlled. "Understood. Not the first time I've had teammates withhold information from me, except last time... last time it was because I was leaving. This time I'll be here, and near as I can tell, no one has any idea what we're going to do. If you're okay with that, fine. I'm not."
Myrnal rubbed the back of her neck and chewed her bottom lip. "Just... fine. Don't tell me anything specific in case she reads my mind or whatever. Just an idea, out of decent fucking courtesy? Did he tell you something, give you something, what? I wasn't fucking there."
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3676
(5/28/06 0:06)
24.99.240.219
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
Kei clamped her jaw, controlling herself before speaking. She has a point, she thought to herself. ...she'd also be the best at getting this thing in, come to think of it. She then took off her sack and walked closer to Myrnal. "Look inside here," she said quietly, as she opened it. She lifted up the crystal anchor, ever so slightly, so one could only see the tip. It was then put back in its place, and the sack was closed. "When we get close enough to Dawn, this is what is going to stop her. And you, now that I think on it, would be the best one to drive this into the ground. However, if alerted too soon, she will be able to compensate. It is of utmost importance that she not know what we're planning."
"So," she said with a smile, while holding up her sack. "Shall we trade? It will make things much more convenient in the future."
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1149
(5/28/06 0:14)
65.175.228.200
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
 Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
A wide smile spread across Myrnal's face, and Kei got the distinct vibe that something more was going on here. She'd spoken with Myrnal, even if briefly, and the ninja didn't seem like the type of girl who got all a-twitter about being trusted. For the most part, it seemed pretty irrelevant to Myrnal what people thought of the caliber of her character. James didn't know Myrnal very well, but he got the exact same impression.
Myrnal smiled gradually, and her lips parted slightly with the expression. "You know. I was just about to suggest the very same thing. We--"
Eve frowned slightly and took a step back. "Kei? Could you come here for a second? I just need to--"
"I'll only be a moment," Myrnal interjected. "Please do not interrupt me. That's incredibly rude. Anyway. Kei." She paused and her expression was serious once again. "I know what that is. And if you give it to me, I'll consider letting Myrnal walk through this door."
Edited by: Kai at: 5/28/06 0:17
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1203
(5/28/06 0:58)
68.93.73.69
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
"... wait...what?" Damian asked. Myrnal's sudden change in posture... the way she was reeeal serious about it...and... Myrnal calling herself by name? "... well. That's rather rude. Assuming I'm right and that's you... Dawn... invading Myrnal." A tired sigh escapes his lips as he tries to assess things. Not good either way, looks like. Nope. One of those FUN days, huh? YEP! I'm having fun, how 'bout you?
"I suppose it'd be too much to ask that you just show yourself so we can get things finished, isn't it?" And personally I'd like to give you a visit in a favorite dark alley of mine. Just another victim of gang violence or something this time, eh? Its refreshing to see you this bloodthirsty, boss. Its been a while. ...
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4604
(5/28/06 23:23)
4.225.26.146
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
GodDAMNIT swore James inside his head. You're an IDIOT, Kei! Then again, she could've read your mind, too...
"Get out of there and show yourself, Dawn Valerian," spat James. "I won't hesitate to kill her if you're going to hide behind her. Or will you just make someone else your puppet if I slit her throat?"
I can't hesitate against her, James realized. If my guard isn't up, she'll cut me to pieces before I can move. But I can't just take her out, because that's not going to stop her from just worming her way into someone else's mind...wait!
James reached to his belt and pulled a potion vial free, glancing briefly at the bottle before loosening the cork just a bit. "Myrnal, I think you need one of these!" Without hesitation, he pitched the bottle at the girl, hoping he could deliver a dose of medicine the ninja clearly needed...
(That's a potion of protection from evil, which cancels and prevents mental domination by evil creatures for its duration (one minute, but that's ten whole rounds...))
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1153
(5/28/06 23:40)
65.175.228.200
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
Myrnal swung her arm up to shield herself, and the vial broke on her shoulder. She turned to James, her expression one of righteous offense. She opened her mouth to speak before her posture abruptly changed. A shudder ran through her body and she covered her face with one hand. She looked back up at James, gasping for breath like she'd just run a marathon. "...James?"
She covered her mouth with her hand, pausing for a moment. "...How much time do I have?"
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4605
(5/28/06 23:49)
4.225.26.146
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
"Maybe a minute if we're lucky, and I've only got one more of those, so let's go spill that bitch's fucking blood!" James's teeth flashed brightly as a feral expression crossed his face. Despite the fact that his demonic side was functionally a royal breed, it didn't stop him from having some very animalistic characteristics when he wasn't in a good mood.
Ordinarily, the half-incubus would've preferred a more subtle, stealthy approach, but there was no time for that now. If they hesitated, someone else might fall victim to Dawn's mental domination, and he wasn't sure how many of his fellow adventurers had a means to protect themselves, or even if the ones they had would last. He pulled his second potion from his belt and gulped it down in a single motion before charging through the now-open door, growling like a wild beast, fury in his eyes.
I hope you're reading my mind right now, Dawn, because I'm imagining how I'm going to tear out your fucking neck with my teeth and spit on your remains!
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1204
(5/29/06 0:09)
68.93.73.69
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
".... yes, lets." Damian agreed, his own features becoming distant. This one was worse than most, and she had to pay for it. The grin that this left on his face was a terrible one, one that should've been left behind along with the old life. One last check to make sure that his "Special Package" for emergencies was still in there and then Damian strolled through the door, hoping that he was ready for anything Dawn might chose to throw out.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3678
(5/29/06 1:23)
24.99.240.219
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: There's no law, no law anymore...
"Let's...let's just go," Kei said, before walking out. Was that...shame, in her voice?
I can't believe I fell for that, she thought bitterly to herself. All this talk about planning and being careful and about how any little thing can bring disaster, and what do I do? I practically hand ourselves to Dawn on a plate! I could have had anyone else sneak it out...Damien was there, gods, even I could have done it! But no-no.
Kei breathed deeply, and began to compose herself. No. There's no more time to waste on this. If we're going to make up for that mistake, we need to do it quickly.
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 6/4/06 2:19
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1175
(6/4/06 21:00)
4.224.174.148
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
V...for Valerian...*is shot*
The party rushed past the handprints on the floor toward the room beyond, passing still more of Dawn's obsession with properly-landscaped ground.
The trees were spread apart just enough to allow the sunlight to pierce the thick canopy they created. The undergrowth was carefully planted to provide thorough groundcover, and most of it consisted of thick greenery. It wouldn't be possible to walk through most of it, but it was only about waist-high. Through the trees could be seen the occasional blinding gleam of sunlight reflected on water.
The aisle of trees on either side bent to the right, and then again to the left, entering a very large, and probably very expensive garden. The ground beneath their feet was covered in small loose pebbles, lending a simply-finished air to the space around them. The pond toward the back came from a small spring trickling down the mountainside. It drained down a small waterfall at the very back. It's possible that this small river was responsible for the creation of this lush opening in the ground between these mountains.
But enough ambience, right? James and Myrnal entered the clearing first as a result of his enthusiasm in getting through the door. Ahead of them and to the right was a modest black stone altar, engraved with images of twining vines and flowers. Again, Dawn Valerian had either paid a lot of money for this, or she'd convinced some very talented craftsmen that she'd paid a lot of money for it.
Standing in the clearing, wearing that same tightly-controlled smile they'd just seen on Myrnal moments before... was Dawn.
Myrnal, having kept pace with James, was the first to act. She reached behind her into her pack as she entered the room and pulled out her crossbow. She quickly fired off a shot and the bolt sped through the air, cutting across Dawn's upper arm. As it hit her, the bolt sent a spread of frost over the telepath's skin.
(It took one round to get the party to their current positions since you weren't doing anything but moving. You have nine more before you lose Myrnal. That includes this turn. A map, because they're neat. James goes next.)
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4614
(6/5/06 10:28)
4.252.80.217
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
This, thought James in an idle moment as he charged forward, is the most landscaped evil villain base ever. From what my father told me about Elaith's lair, he should've hired Dawn as an interior designer.
James knew that charging toward Dawn and trying to carve her up before she could move was never going to work; if it were that easy, someone would have done it. No matter how incredibly angry James was at this point, he couldn't afford to lose his cool, strategic head. The best option at this point would be to try to bolster himself and his allies and disorient the psion's senses. He stopped running, clapped his hands together and muttered a spell incantation, practically screaming the last few words in his adrenaline-charged anger.
"Time, give your power to the worthy! HASTE!"
(I think this is pretty self-explanatory. He's stopping where he's moved at this point to cast the spell. It obviously affects all his allies within range [which is...all of them].)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1177
(6/5/06 22:25)
4.225.36.178
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
Everyone feels...yeah, you know how this works. You've all been hasted before, and it's always pretty damned awesome.
(Standard end-of-post GM note: Every time you do something in combat, I'd really appreciate all of your numbers. That's right. Look at your sheet and add things up for me so I can resolve things quickly. You have nine more rounds before you lose Myrnal. That includes this turn. A map, because they're neat. Stephan goes next.)
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2022
(6/7/06 7:52)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Fucksticks, sorry about the delay @_x
This was it, no time to think, they had to act quick before Myrnal turned into Dawn Jr. again.
Gathering heated energy in his hand, three rays of scorching heat go forth toward the psionist. Stephan then moves forward, covering what ground he can to get over to Dawn.
(Scorching Ray, moving to the square right of Dawn's position if he can)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1179
(6/7/06 16:46)
4.225.26.9
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
Stephan launched his rays straight for Dawn, and as they approached her eyes widened and she threw her hands out in front of her. Two rays solidly connected, but when they impacted her hands, they seemed to sink into her, their heat minimized as she absorbed them. Stephan has some idea of what she's just done, since he saw Eve do it not long ago against Rendon and Rilla. Fortunately, Dawn's capacity was not limitless. Some of the fiery energy spilled over, leaving long black scorchmarks down the cult leader's arms.
After his attack, Stephan has enough time to make his way over to Dawn's side. He's very close to a shrubbery, but this should only be a problem if Stephan has really bad allergies that he's never mentioned before.
(Stephan's rays all hit, and the first ray hits critically. The third didn't break her spell resistance. He dealt a total of 49 damage, though not all of it penetrated. Standard end-of-post GM note: Every time you do something in combat, I'd really appreciate all of your numbers. That's right. Attack AND damage modifiers. Look at your sheet and add things up for me so I can resolve things quickly. You have nine more rounds before you lose Myrnal. That includes this turn. A map, because they're neat. Kei goes next.)
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3717
(6/12/06 20:35)
24.99.240.219
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Fucksticks, sorry about the delay @_x
Intent to make up for her mistake in the most expedious way possible, Kei grasps the crystal rod in her bag. Taking advantage of Stephan's distraction and moves next to James, before slamming the crystal into the ground.
(That should put her in range, cap'n!)
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 6/12/06 20:35
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1196
(6/13/06 10:56)
4.225.31.128
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
Kei manages to push that crystal anchor down into the pebbled ground, creating a rather large area in which telepathy is, quite frankly, a bad idea.
(Standard end-of-post GM note: Every time you do something in combat, I'd really appreciate all of your numbers. That's right. Attack AND damage modifiers. Look at your sheet and add things up for me so I can resolve things quickly. You have nine more rounds before you lose Myrnal. That includes this turn. A map, because they're neat. The adorable Little Naki goes next.)
Edited by: Kai at: 6/14/06 11:18
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1211
(6/13/06 23:02)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Fucksticks, sorry about the delay @_x
Damian's little shadow detaches itself from his side to flow forwards towards Dawn. As pissed off as his master was getting, this would be FUN AND entertaining for the first time in a while. Upon reaching her, he gives her as good a rake with his incorporeal claws as he can manage.
(Nakibe floats forwards 7 squares to Dawn's front and attacks her at +5 attack, with 1d6 STR damage to Miss Valerian if it hits.)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1199
(6/14/06 11:29)
4.225.25.162
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
Damian's shadow floated over to Dawn and took a swipe at her. Gratifyingly enough, Dawn wasn't nearly so well-suited to defend against his attack as some of their previous opponents had been. A shiver ran through her as he raked his hand over her.
Weirdly enough, the attack didn't seem to affect only Dawn. Stephan felt it, too.
(Naki deals 4 points of STR damage to Dawn and to Stephan. Standard end-of-post GM note: Every time you do something in combat, I'd really appreciate all of your numbers. That's right. Attack AND damage modifiers. Look at your sheet and add things up for me so I can resolve things quickly. You have nine more rounds before you lose Myrnal. That includes this turn. A map, because they're neat. Damian goes next.)
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2033
(6/14/06 17:16)
12.172.69.2
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Post of ohnoes!
Stephan finds himself shivering just like Dawn, his armor and weapons suddenly feeling a lot more difficult to carry. He's at a loss for why the hell he's getting hurt too, since he doesn't recall the little hellspawn trying to hit him. However, that doesn't stop him from jumping to conclusions.
"...that little no good bloody son of a #$@ing..." he starts thinking to himsef.
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1213
(6/15/06 17:56)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
For his part, Damian surges forwards, rushing to Dawn's back and making a couple of swift strikes.
(Damian moves forwards 9 squares and to the left 1. Then he makes 2 attacks. First attack is at +17, dealing 1d8+2 damage, plus 4d6 if this is a sneak attack. Second attack is at +14, dealing 1d8+2 damage, plus 6d6 on a sneak attack. )
Edited by: Nakibe at: 6/15/06 21:55
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1208
(6/17/06 3:30)
4.225.29.236
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Post of ohnoes!
Damian hasn't been waiting nearly as long as his comrades to get a few blades into Dawn, but that certainly shouldn't make his success any less gratifying. With his shadow on her other side momentarily diverting her attention, Damian was able to take advantage of the telepath's vulnerability. Both hits connected solidly, and Dawn looked like she couldn't take much more abuse in melee combat. The only hitch came a moment later.
As blood sprayed forth from Dawn's back, Damian could feel similar wounds ripping open in his own flesh. So could Stephan. Damian's shadow's ability to feel pain was easily less than his master's, but even he could feel the backlash from Damian's attack.
At this point, Dawn had little choice but to attack in return. Her usual conservatism would be out of place here, and she apparently knew it. Dawn flung out one hand to address her initial attacker, manifesting a power with startling speed. She stopped just short of physically touching Stephan, but the moment she looked him in the eye he found that he couldn't keep his mind focusing on anything but harming... himself.
Dawn then did as the others had seen Eve do during the fight with Rendon and Rilla. She fired the stored fire energy from Stephan's scorching ray straight for her sister. The thin red ray connected, frying a good portion of Eve's left side, covering her arm in burns. Just couldn't escape fire in this place, could she?
Eve gritted her teeth against the pain and raised one hand. From the tips of her fingers came a sickly green ray of light. It narrowly glanced off of Dawn's aura.
Myrnal, rather displeased with the treatment her allies were receiving from Dawn, ran forward to flank the telepath with Damian. "NOT AGAIN!" Myrnal screamed as she raced toward Dawn. Dawn could protect herself against magic, she could protect herself against detection and hide behind children, hide behind mental domination and deals with dark gods... but a knife in the chest is still a knife in the chest.
"NOT..." Myrnal drove her katar deep into the telepath, just above Dawn's sternum. "...EVER AGAIN!" James for one knew where Myrnal had gotten this blade, and he could probably surmise why the ninja was using it now. She'd acquired it during her pseudo-voluntary service to Nikumu, and the first blood it had shed was the blood of her best friend. The gift of Nikumu to a one-time servant.
Dawn jerked as Myrnal's hand twisted, flipping open the blades of the katar. Dawn opened her mouth in a pain-filled gasp, but instead of speech a bubble of blood burst on her lips. With another scream of rage Myrnal flung her arm to the side, throwing Dawn's body to the ground.
Myrnal stood, grinding her teeth in a blind rage, seemingly willing Dawn to stand up again just for one more chance to vent long-suppressed anger. But Dawn didn't oblige. Eve, staring at the scene in silence, wrapped her arms around herself and began to shake. Dawn was dead. But this mission wasn't over yet.
(Damian's attack deals 51 points of damage to Dawn, Stephan, Damian's shadow, and Damian himself. Stephan is no longer affected by Dawn's attack, but for shits... A description of the effect Stephan was feeling before Dawn died. Damian and Stephan both take 38 damage from Myrnal's attack. Dawn, for one, is dead.)
Edited by: Kai at: 6/17/06 3:36
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3739
(6/17/06 11:34)
24.99.240.219
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: V...for Valerian...*is shot*
Kei breathed deeply, not daring to remove the crystal; at least, not yet. "She's dead..." she murmered to herself. "She's finally dead..." She then cleared her throat, and spoke in a louder voice. "First, let us take care of those hurt," she said. "Then, we destroy the body and, how do you say it, get the hell out?"
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4621
(6/17/06 19:16)
4.252.80.114
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
HahHAH!
"Get the hell out is certainly a good way to phrase it," responded James as he sighed deeply. The half-incubus was gradually coming down from his adrenaline rush and attempting to think again instead of letting his weapons do the talking for him. He stepped toward Dawn's fallen figure, eyes fixed on the woman that had caused him so much pain.
"You know, I've heard that in the Netherworld, some demons eat their fallen enemies. Even the noble ones." James smirked a little, showing fangs as usual. "That seems excessive, however, and I somehow doubt even Archmagus Bailey could fashion a dish out of this woman's flesh that wouldn't taste like rotting goat entrails."
James reached to his belt and pulled free a potion vial. "A toast, to Dawn Valerian!" he cried out, pulling the cork and swilling the oily brown liquid. He flinched momentarily, closing his eyes as though he had taken a drink of strong alcohol, and promptly exhaled a gout of flame at Dawn's prone body. Fury in his eyes, the half-incubus breathed again, spraying another jet of fire from his mouth, and then a third followed the second, covering his foe's corpse in fire. Having finished, James burped, producing a bit of smoke, and then covered his mouth in faux politeness.
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4622
(6/18/06 1:57)
4.225.31.8
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Eve managed to listen to the discussion of cooking and eating her sister for about one and a half seconds. She seemed content for a while to avert her eyes and pretend the others weren't there. When James blew fire onto Dawn's body to destroy it, she simply turned on her heel and walked out.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2035
(6/18/06 13:01)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: HahHAH!
There are so many things going on, Stephan doesn't know what to do. He had considered killing himself for Gods know what reason a moment ago, shit he couldn't see beat the crap out of him, and now James was setting Dawn's body on fire. He probably needed to say something.
However, the searing pain running through his body wins out, and he promptly falls onto his bottom.
He fumbles in his bag, trying to ignore said pain while he retrieves a potion.
(Stephan takes a Cure Serious potion)
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1219
(6/18/06 17:59)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Meanwhile, Damian was himself only standing by willpower, and not much of THAT was left. "Anybody... got a potion?"
Considering how much of his own blows he felt, it was really a miracle he was still standing.
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4623
(6/22/06 23:39)
4.225.30.63
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
You need potions? I have potions!
James fumbled with his belt pouch a second and produced three potion vials. "These, as I recall, are the strongest ones I'm carrying. I have more, in the event that anyone else is wounded too badly. It looked like the psychic backlash there was pretty nasty, at least, as far as it appeared astrally. I wouldn't know firsthand--I was luckily out of range, or something."
That said, the half-incubus offered a vial to Damian. "Anyone else, feel free to take these."
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1212
(6/22/06 23:52)
4.225.30.63
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Myrnal snapped out of her brief moment of blind violence. She blinked a few times as if refamiliarizing herself with where she was. She looked down to her bloodied katar. She moved to clean it on her sleeve as she'd done for Stephan's sword, and paused. She gazed down at the weapon as if memorizing it, just as it was. Her twisted half-grin of amusement softened into an expression of profound relief before she finally wiped down the blade and put it back in her belt.
Myrnal looked down, and apparently she'd wounded herself as badly as Stephan, Damian, and Dawn. She was covered in blood, and somehow she'd managed not to notice. "...Potion? Nah, I'm good. Though you know, James," Myrnal said as she removed her hand from her katar. "That's twice I owe you now. In fa--"
Myrnal was cut off by a plainly-frustrated Eve exclaiming, "Oh, what in the fuck." It was coming from around the bend, probably around where they came in.
(Stephan recovers 26 HP from that potion.)
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4624
(6/22/06 23:56)
4.225.30.63
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: You need potions? I have potions!
"What the hell is wrong now!?" exclaimed James inquisitively. Whirling around and tossing the potion in his hand at Damian, the future young Silvar headed in the direction of Eve's voice.
I swear, if there's an entire army of kids outside waiting to kill us for slaying their "mommy"...
Edited by: Archmage144 at: 6/23/06 0:12
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1223
(6/23/06 1:55)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Damian barely catches the potion. Left-handed, since he's busy trying to hold what may well be busted ribs with his other. Trying to ignore the pain, he gulps the potion down thirstily.
... Hey buddy... you okay? he thought, as the haze of pain began to clear from his mind. But his thoughts merely echoed in his mind... Hey... you there? The expected answers, snide remarks, and comments never come...
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1216
(6/23/06 16:37)
4.225.29.157
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: You need potions? I have potions!
James turned the corner and did not in fact find himself face to face with an army of angry cult members. Instead he found Eve standing in front of the doorway where they came in, rubbing her temples with one hand.
The doorway beyond still looked like a doorway. The hall extended outward for a couple of feet before stopping and branching off to the left and the right. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all still black, but the reason for Eve's reaction was obvious. The basement's floorplan had obviously changed while they were in the arboretum.
Eve threw her arm out to her side, pointing into the hallway. "You're seeing this, right? Someone had better give me a solution in the next five seconds or I'm going to start teleporting and hope it doesn't get me killed."
(Damian recovers 25 HP.)
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2037
(6/23/06 17:53)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Stephan decides to chug down another potion, since he's still hurting pretty badly. Figuring James had a handle on the situation, he looks around to the others still with him.
"Everyone still in one piece?" he asks the trio with him.
(Potion: Cure Serious. He should be down to 3 now)
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1224
(6/24/06 3:36)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: You need potions? I have potions!
"My... My familiar... Damned bitch took out my familiar." grumbled Damian. He still felt like crap, but at least he was still living. His familiar apparently wasn't nearly as lucky.
After slowly making his way to his still somewhat-unsteady feet, Damian looked out at the hallway. "This is great too. Any guesses on how far it is to where we started from here?"
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1218
(6/24/06 19:09)
4.252.81.27
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Eve shrugged. "I can tell us exactly where we are on this plane, and considering I have a direct line-of-sight to the sky, I can probably fly or teleport us out. What I can't tell you is what the hell is wrong with this basement. My sis--" Eve's mouth snapped shut on the word, cutting it off mid-syllable. "I don't know."
Back in the arboretum, Myrnal nodded to Stephan. "I think you guys had it worse than I did. I took the backlash of my own attack, but I can hardly resent that. My own damn fault. I'll fix it later." She pulled out her backup healing wand and stuck it in her belt rather than actually use it. "I'm going to go see what's got everyone else in a mood."
The ninja turned the corner to meet the others and sighed. "Has anyone here been in the Gunnir basement? It was at least this weird. We found a room made of glowing cheese." Her usual distant expression cracked briefly into a smile at the memory. "This might be weirder, depending on how badly we've pissed off this place's architecture."
Eve looked back at Damian, then to Myrnal and back to Damian again. "Hey, Damian. Sorry about your familiar." Her voice was utterly devoid of sympathy, but the gesture was made. The fact that she was even trying to be sympathetic had to mean something after recent events for Eve herself. "You gonna be all right?"
(Stephan recovers 27 HP from that potion.)
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1227
(6/27/06 23:15)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: You need potions? I have potions!
"... he's always been a real pain in the ass, you know? Just... my pain." Damian said wistfully... and then he had a thought. A risky thought, but it might work later. "... There's a slim chance I could return him to this plane..." Just the little problem that it nearly killed me the FIRST time I tried it. Damian thought. And then he realized that there were perhaps better times to make such plans. Times that didn't involve shifting rooms.
"Speaking of which, are we sure we're in the same plane we started?"
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1225
(6/28/06 1:58)
4.225.25.173
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Eve nodded. "Oh, definitely. I know right where we are now. We're in the big fucking crack in the ground behind this base. Tell you what. I'm going to check in here a bit, and since I've already tried teleporting within the base, I know I can do that to get back, provided the halls haven't rearranged themselves in the meantime."
She stepped into the hall, and stretched out her arms in front of her, cracking her fingers. Beams of light shone forth from her eyes, illuminating the hallway with a faint golden light. She turned to look back at them, her eyes too bright to look at directly. "I'm less worried about conserving power, and more worried about seeing what the hell this place is doing. Anyone coming with?"
She didn't wait for a response before walking in and taking a turn to the left. That weird rumbling continued, getting a little louder than it was before.
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1228
(6/28/06 14:10)
68.92.212.220
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: You need potions? I have potions!
Recognizing someone who knew more on the subject than him, Damian quickly followed Eve. "... Rather not sit here all day," he muttered.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1238
(7/24/06 14:07)
4.225.31.182
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Eve led them down the hallway, then took another left as it forked once again. The illumination she was providing rapidly became useless as the hall ended in a room so massive that when she looked up to the ceiling it was difficult to tell if the light was hitting anything up there.
"...Shit." As her eyes scanned their surroundings, the beams of light coming from them swept over walls so distant they were difficult to discern from empty dark space. The ubiquitous groaning coming from the walls seemed somehow amplified in this enormous space, but a few seconds after Eve took her first steps into the room, it stopped entirely.
Myrnal reached back and pulled her hair out of her face. "Well. Silence is great. And by great I mean a sign that we may all be about to die or... something. I'll be here." With that, she made use of the thick shadow around them and disappeared away from Eve's light.
The silence continued, deepening to the point that every sound made by the party, every step and every breath, seemed to shatter the quiet with the intensity of a scream.
Eve inhaled slowly and then closed her eyes, temporarily turning out the light before reopening them.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2052
(7/31/06 23:46)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: You need potions? I have potions!
This is bad, very bad.
On the one hand, he didn't like the thought of having no light.
...still, the light wasn't helping much either, aside from making them a big glowing target.
With eyesight out of the picture, Stephan tries once again to focus on the arcane. He 'looks' around, to see if anything is noticable.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1245
(8/3/06 0:08)
4.225.25.155
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Stephan has by now gotten used to the odd magical flux occurring in the structure all around them. He'd notice if something were unusual in the generally steady flow.
Something is unusual. It seems to be converging, being drawn toward the room where the party has stopped. This is happening quickly, rather like water pouring down a drain.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2054
(8/9/06 19:23)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Note: I am retarded x_x;
"...I don't think this is a good sign." Stephan says out loud to the group, "Whatever was flowing through the walls earlier, is coming together in here. And it's coming fast."
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4665
(8/10/06 20:27)
4.252.85.14
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
"It's possible," noted James, "that the magic Dawn set up is degrading after her death. Perhaps she was a load-bearing support, if you will," he added, chuckling a bit. The half-incubus swiveled his head around in the darkness trying to make some sense of the situation. "One thing's for certain. If we don't find a way out of here, I'm going to go crazy. Who the hell builds things like this? Even at Gunnir, ninty-nine percent of this sort of stuff is an accident, or so my father mentioned once. Like the basement that Myrnal mentioned. Total accident. A result of a failed school prank, or something. As I understand it, the entire class of 1277 was turned into rabbits as a side-effect of the arcane backlash."
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1261
(8/14/06 20:42)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Note: I am retarded x_x;
Eve blinked again, causing the illumination in the room to dim and then reappear. "Well," she said. "I can take us out of here, or we can keep going. Option number three is--"
As she opened her mouth to speak, the magical energy being drawn toward the chamber seemed to pull together and fall down like a great intangible comet directly onto her. The light went out and through the room drifted the sound of a long, low, hissing breath.
The light returned as Eve opened her eyes and when she looked directly above her she illuminated what looked like a giant mass of facial expressions floating only a few inches above her head. They were all different, some were menacing, some were amused, some looked like they might even be afraid of everything around them.
They had little reason to be. The longer the creature floated above them a feeling of dread sank into everyone standing nearby. This was bad. This was weird. Kei and Damian managed to shake it off, probably preferring to get rid of the thing than stand and watch it in horror. For everyone else, its presence was still just a little distracting.
(So. Combat can happen in case anyone wants have that. There is no need for concerns about where the walls are. Consider yourselves in an open area. You are all close enough to Eve and the enemy to attack should you choose to do so. You can probably reach the monster with melee weapons provided the weapon isn't attached to your feet or something.
James and Stephan failed will saves and are shaken for as long as they're near their enemy, taking a -2 penalty on everything.
Should you attack, and you certainly may, post all of your numbers. Give me bonuses and subtract your penalty if you've got one. Post the damage stats for your weapons. I'm rolling, but I still want all your numbers. Thank you.
Kei is first. )
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2055
(8/14/06 23:47)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
So many faces.
So many different emotions, all directed at him.
One of his frequent nightmares, here and real.
Stephan knows he has to pay attention and stay alert, lest this thing rip them all apart.
However, he can't help thinking back to his own nightmares.
The ones with several faces looking at him, faces of people that lost their lives.
All by his hand.
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1243
(8/17/06 14:26)
68.93.75.31
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
A thousand faces with stares meant to bore into his soul, showing him an equal number of faces... people that were dead by his hand, or by his inaction... or just people he was fairly sure he'd never see again.
Considering where he was, and the day he was having, it couldn't be too much of a surprise to anyone when he settled back into a fighting stance and laughed.
So you won't let us out, eh? That's fine with me. PERFECTLY fine.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3756
(8/25/06 16:53)
24.166.208.235
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
Illusions...mere shadows of the mind... Kei thought to herself, as she steeled herself against the strange faces. It didn't matter how familiar they seemed, or the emotions that were attached to the memory of those they mimicked. It was nothing but a trick, trying to squeeze out every drop of pain and guilt they could, and leave them as nothing but a dried rag.
It was a disgrace, to each and every last person who's face they wore. Kei refused to continue this indignity any longer.
However, this didn't mean that she was going to fly and dispense steel justice on them. There's been too many traps and tricks here to go into battle unawares. Instead, she draws katana and makes for a defensive stance, preparing to at least observe them before striking.
(Holding turn)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1277
(8/25/06 17:17)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
Kei hung back to assess the situation, but clearly not all of her allies were so inclined. Myrnal wasn't immediately visible, but a sliver of metal flashed through the beam of light stretching from Eve's eyes to the entity in nearby. It disappeared again, and the sound of it flipping through the air back to her hand was followed by a muttered curse. The ninja was not pleased.
(Post all your numbers or suffer. James is next.)
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4679
(8/26/06 18:11)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: ACCOUNT THEFT: THIS IS YOUR GM
It looks like weapons aren't going to be terribly effective, noted James, because it's basically a mass of spirits. It may even be an illusion, but I'm not willing to take that risk. The faces in the crowd above him were all entirely foreign. None of them seemed immediately familiar; if they were indeed the faces of dead people, they were the faces of people who had died before his time.
He figured that his best bet was to be conservative; a high-damage spell or weapon attack might fail totally, but he could always rely on a basic force effect to be accurate and affect most types of targets, even incorporeal ones, unless they had exceptionally strong magic resistance. The half-incubus gestured sharply with his hands, flicking a finger sharply at the phantasm above the group, and a quintet of glowing bolts lanced out from his hand, each one the point of a pentagon that swooped outward before arcing back in toward the target.
(Magic Missile, 5 missiles, 1d4+1 damage each, no save, but SR applies against each missile individually. James's caster level is only 9, so here's to hoping this thing doesn't have massive SR.)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1280
(8/26/06 18:48)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
The bolts phased into the vestige, but the arcane energy seemed to have been more or less dissipated by the creature's aura. It recoiled briefly, and then drew itself together, seeming to grow slightly smaller in the light from Eve's eyes. After this brief period to collect itself, it dived down through Eve again. Her light veered crazily around the room as she fell to one knee.
"Guys..." Eve said, not daring to move. "It's targeting me. I think you're going to need another light source soon. It's... just....don't panic."
The room went dark, and above the whispering of the creature, the others could hear Eve hit the floor.
(James doesn't break SR. Eve is no longer providing light, so the room is dark. Damian is next.)
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3757
(8/26/06 19:35)
24.166.208.235
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Lantern Bitch: it's not glamorous, but someone has to do it
The light going out was one thing. However, the light going out along with its source falling to the ground? This...was not a good thing. It was clear to Kei that Eve needed to be tended to as quickly as possible, but there was a significant obstacle in the way: now it was too dark even for her sharp eyes, not to mention the effect it would have on her less feline companions. Muttering to herself, she seathes her blade, and fumbles around for her lantern. As her hand reaches for were the oil should be, Kei thinks to herself, It's amazing how little things like this get overlooked when one is training... She smiles with satisfaction as it lights up, before moving towards Eve to see how she's faring.
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 8/26/06 19:40
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1281
(8/26/06 19:49)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
As Kei knelt next to Eve to check her, it was clear that the psion wasn't moving. Or breathing. In fact, when Kei checked for a pulse, she didn't find one. That's no good.
Yet, at the same time... "Don't panic?" What the hell did that mean?
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1244
(8/27/06 1:38)
68.93.75.31
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
Part of Damian winced at Kei's lighting of the lamp. Damn. Just as I was getting comfortable. Not that the light or its lack would change much, as Damian could see just fine anyway. It wasn't like he called himself a master of the dark for nothing. And seeing it... floating there near Eve and Kei, he did the one thing he could: Lash out with his fists.
(Damian attacks with Caramon, the Brilliant Energy gauntlet. +17 AT, 1d8+2 damage if it hits.
Edit: Oh, and before I forget and go to sleep, +4d6 damage in the unlikely event of sneak attacks applying.)
Edited by: Nakibe at: 8/27/06 4:48
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1285
(8/27/06 14:25)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
Damian came up against the same problem as Myrnal had, apparently. This thing was absurdly difficult to hit. It wasn't necessarily just that it was incorporeal, but it seemed to be able to resist physical attacks by deflecting them away from itself. Pain in the ass.
(Stephan is next.)
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2057
(8/27/06 17:46)
24.218.135.42
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
There's no time to be frightened like a baby.
He's still scared, more than he'd like to be. But Eve was down, and Kei would be next if he didn't haul his scared ass over there.
Hoping the enchantment on his blade would have some effect, Stephan swings with his Greatsword, hoping he can succeed where others failed so far.
(Ze stats:
Weapon: +3 Greatsword with Ghost-Touch/Keened
Attack Bonus (Greatsword): +18/+13/+8 (with penalty)
Attack Damage (Greatsword): 2d6+12 17-20/x2
GM away!)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1287
(8/27/06 17:54)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
Stephan, having quite a formidable collection of weapons, managed to find one well-suited to the situation at hand. He swung for the bizarre creature, and while he didn't connect every time, his first swing was dead on. The room was filled with angry hissing, which is at once an unsettling noise and kind of a good sign.
(Stephan hit the first time through. He rolled a natural twenty, not that he needed to do so to hit. He dealt 18 damage. Kei's actual turn is next.)
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3758
(8/30/06 22:52)
24.166.208.235
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
Kei's heart stopped dead when she discovered Eve's lack of pulse. However, as there was one thing that kept her thoughts anchored and steady: what Eve's last words were before she fell.
If there was one thing that was certain, it was that they couldn't allow any more of their number to fall victim. Drawing her katana from its sheath, she muttered the necessary words and swung at the phantoms surrounding them.
(Things of note: Kei's activated her sheath, which means that her katana is keen now. She also gets one extra attack with it along with the usual three. Anyways, stats!
-Attack Bonus: +23/+18/+13
-Damage: 1d10 +2 STR
-Critical: 19/20 x3/17-20 x3 while keen )
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 8/30/06 23:08
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1290
(8/30/06 23:14)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: From the Ashes (board and/or AIM D&D)
Kei managed to land one hit that wasn't brushed aside by the creature's aura, but it sailed through what apparently passed for a body with this thing. Myrnal seemed to be having similar luck as she stepped into the light of the lantern and tossed her returning dagger again. Her lip curled in an aggravated sneer as her knife landed solidly back in her palm after slicing nothing but air.
(Kei and Myrnal miss due to the corporeally-challenged nature of their opponent. James is next.)
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4684
(8/30/06 23:26)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
James's demonic heritage luckily afforded him the ability to see perfectly no matter how dark it was, but he figured that most of his comrades lacked a similar ability.
"Our attacks aren't doing us any good! I think we should run! This is just a diversion! We've already taken care of the real threat here, and if this thing wants to follow us into daylight then so be it!"
The half-incubus muttered barely a syllable's worth of an incantation and snapped his fingers, causing light to emanate from his clothing in all directions. He assumed that there had to be an exit to this room somewhere, perhaps on the opposite side from which they entered. It was in the fire code, or something, and if there were anywhere that such a rule would be obeyed, surely it would be in a compound full of pyrokinetic children.
This line of thinking was completely absurd, but James was desperate enough that it somehow added up to make a logical conclusion.
Having made his suggestion and completed his spell, the mage began to run across to the other side of the room, a shining beacon for his visually-challenged allies.
(Light spell, James is the target; then he moves 30 feet in the direction that he's pretty sure is the opposite of the entrance.)
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1291
(8/31/06 11:11)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
While James didn't have enough time to reach the exit on the other side, he could see it and so could everyone else with the aid of his wonderful little cantrip.
The creature hovering over Kei and Eve seemed to bend down toward the fallen psion, and shrieked to find that it had lost its target. With another echoing hiss of frustration it withdrew from whence it came, seemingly sucked back into the structure of the basement.
So, the party has an exit, a dead ally, and no enemy in sight.
|
NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 3759
(9/1/06 6:22)
24.166.208.235
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
At least they're gone now, she thought to herself, as she sheathed her sword. After setting the lantern down momentarily, she hoisted the psion over her shoulder as best she could, before grabbing the light source again and making her way towards the exit.
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1246
(9/1/06 17:21)
68.93.75.31
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
Damn... Damn DAMN DAMN.
Damian made his way to the exit, cursing mentally the whole way. This place had taken his little Naki, his shadow, as well as that Lyminali... and now this. Part of him wanted something, anything, to pound into a pulp.
And then the other part of him just wanted to get the hell away from this place, as soon as possible.
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2058
(9/2/06 8:17)
12.172.69.2
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Ohnoes =O
Stephan wanted that thing dead. Either that, or in some kind of state where it was hurt and incapacitated. Preferably by his hand.
But things were going to hell fast. As much as it pained him to think so, he agreed with the arrogant half-demon. With Eve down, if Dawn left any more of that psionic crap laying about, there were in deep sh#$.
"You heard the demon-man, let's get the f#$k outta here." Stephan says to the others, following suit toward the exit. On the way over, however, he tries to keep an eye on the astral when he can, just in case something else decides to crop up.
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1294
(9/2/06 10:24)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
Following James, the others found their way to the exit on the other side. Guess what. More dark hallways. There were three branching out from the massive room of phantom disappearing enemies. Stephan noticed that these hallways had the same shifting infusion of magical and psionic energy they'd found elsewhere. Myrnal sighed in irritation, a sign that she'd recovered rather quickly from their recent brush with whatever the HELL that thing was.
Kei, carrying Eve, was in a very good position to know exactly how the psion was doing. You know, aside from motionless and lacking a pulse. After about two minutes of carrying her, Kei noticed with a start that Eve was...breathing. A few seconds later a shiver ran through the psion's body and she tensed, pushing herself off of Kei. Eve dropped back onto her own feet to stand next to the nekojin.
Eve pressed a hand to her head. "How long was I out? You guys kill it?"
|
FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 2059
(9/2/06 10:31)
12.172.69.2
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Ohnoes =O
"No idea." Stephan answers, gesturing a thumb in James' direction, "He set off some kinda light, the thing moved at you for a second, and then it vanished into the floor."
He stares at Eve for a second, then raises an eyebrow at the psion.
"...And aren't you supposed to be dead?
|
Kai
Robo-Kai
Posts: 1295
(9/2/06 15:38)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
"No, I'm not dead. So glad you noticed," Eve replied. She shook her head to clear away some trace of grigginess left over from being, for all intents and purposes, a corpse. "Sorry I didn't give you a lengthy and detailed explanation for what I just did, but there really wasn't time. That was... a little trick I learned to, well, hide out from my sister. I'm harder to find without a heartbeat, and I can stay that way for up to a year without even really getting hungry." She ran a hand over the top of her head and through her hair, the glossy black strands falling back around her face as she tilted her head thoughtfully. " I figured it was targeting me because I'm--" she winced. "The... only psionicist we've got. I think that if--" She swallowed hard. "If Lym were here, it...would have gone for him, too."
She took a deep breath and gazed down at her shoes. "But without any psionicists, I thought I might get it off our--" She looked up suddenly, a note of dread creeping into her voice. "We have to get upstairs. Without us for a target, I'll bet you anything it's gone to find the other psions around."
Edited by: Kai at: 9/2/06 15:40
|
Nakibe
Mmmmm... Chaos Sandwich. ^_^
Posts: 1247
(9/2/06 15:40)
68.93.75.31
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Lanterns are for sissies. >:{ And we're HAAARRDCORE!
For a moment, Damian had to stop and just look Eve over. And the urge to walk over and check her pulse or something like that was strong nonetheless. "Would've sworn you'd just dropped from something that creature did", Damian said, more than mildly relieved. "Never would've thought playing dead would actually WORK, though."
|
Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 4685
(9/2/06 17:32)
65.26.179.70
Reply
| Edit
| Del
|
Re: Ohnoes =O
"Whatever the case may be, the problem is solved. We need to get out of here. It's good to know that you're alive, though it really wasn't my first concern." James shrugged and gestured onward. "I'm getting out of here. Whatever other psionic energy sources that bastard finds it can have."
|
Topic Commands
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies 