Ridgeshire Strikes Back!
As half the group returned with Defender of the Realm Evan Darkmoor in tow, the other half lead by She'dra came to meet them at the edge of town. It seems that the conclave of Fujoo had been in contact with the government of Ridgeshire in regards to their money. Ignoring the part about the money, but taking advantage of the fact that they now had the location of She'dra's group, Ridgeshire sent a crack team to take down the Ridgeshire renegades. The mages of the conclave innocently passed off the information that She'dra's friends wanted to meet him at the edge of town, and of course he interpreted this to mean his friends returning with Evan...
So the time came and the group was all united in the same place. Little did they know that Ridgeshire's strike force had arrived and was stalking them even as they spoke. Maxmillion Slade, professional killer for hire, was tasked with beginning the battle. Using his abilities he made himself invisible and slowly stalked the brave knight Sir Damas. Studying him for a weak spot, he finally noticed a slight chink in his armor (no Chinese jokes, please.) Readying himself he called on his years of training and made sure that missing the spot would not be an option. Lining up his shot, he stabbed with all his might.
The rest of the group saw Damas stiffen and drop to the ground as a shape shimmered and materialized in front of them! A small man dressed in black pulled his sword from Damas as he fell and casually said hello: "Greetings from Ridgeshire!" The poison coursing through Damas' veins was only meant to incapacitate, and so he fought to regain control of his motor functions as the battle began...
With first blood struck, the rest of the group entered the fray. Sir Ambrose the Cunning, aged knight of some regard appeared to be leading the group. Wu, an elemental mage, joined by a shapeshifting warrior named Valder Gunnarson, "Black" Adam Bloodseed a half-elven Arcane Archer who's made it his life's goal to slaughter both humans and elves, and a monstrous Ravager of the land known as Luthor Plaguewind.
Slade moved on to his next target... the less than well protected She'dra! Stabbing through his soft robes, he did some serious damage to the elven mage. Slade's joy would be short lived, however, as his life came to an end mere moments later at Edge'd furious charging blade. The powerful enchantment functioning exactly as Edge had hoped, his mighty falchion struck true, and sliced all the way through the assassin's body. Maxmillion Slade fell to the ground dead, his murderous career at an end.
Wu, meanwhile, was using his elemental powers to rain down upon the land a hail of large stones. Always recognizing the dangers of magic, She'dra decided that it was his job to take down this strange magic user. Arcane energies sparked back and forth. Wu created an earthquake tearing the ground asunder in a straight line through our allies, while She'dra shot back with flaming bursts of magical energy. In the end, a well placed fireball incinerated Wu where he stood.
Emerys and "Black" Adam immediately recognized a fellow bowman, and engaged each other relatively quickly. Arrows flew back and forth, more reaching their targets than missing. Infused with arcane energy along with years of practice (not to mention his own personal hatred for humans), "Black" Adam's arrows repeatedly hit Emerys causing a great deal of damage. On his return shots, Emerys hit just as often using his skills at running and gunning in conjunction with his father's bow and its powerful magic in vanquishing evil foes. Each arrow filled with sacred, divine energy tore through "Black" Adam causing especially nasty wounds. As a last ditch effort, Adam attempted to cast a spell on Emerys, but it failed. Realizing he had left himself exposed, "Black" Adam dropped his bow to his side and said simply: "Finish it." Not taking any chances with the ruthless killer, Emerys let fly an arrow right into his eye. Humans and elves no longer need be concerned that they are being stalked by the vicious killer "Black" Adam.
Sir Ambrose engaged Edgerrin, repeatedly asking for the group's surrender. He was joined by a summoned Terra Cotta warrior brought to the battle by Wu. Edge fought each of them on his own until he was joined by... Lunk??!
Inquiring as to how Lunk got free, the answer was given... "Ricky let me go!"
Then where was Ricky?? Zerin found out... Engaged in a battle with the monstrous Luthor Plaguewind, Zerin was holding his own but most assuredly not having an easy time disposing of the frightening warrior. Long ago having given his soul to the dark god Erythnul, Luthor seemed to exude evil to the point where fighting him was a most uncomfortable challenge. Each of his blows seemed infused with negative energy, and aimed precisely towards some vital piece of anatomy or another. Yet still, given all of this Zerin was continuing to fight when a dagger found its way into his kidney!
Turning his attention behind him, it seemed that Ricky the Blade had finally picked his spot. No longer able to hold back, Zerin faced off with Luthor and unleashed his divine might. Channeling through his hand, he grabbed Luthor by the shoulder and commanded... "Die!" Erythnul, never one to back a losing horse, abandoned his thrall. Luthor's heart promptly stopped, and thus Luthor Pleaguewind, scourge of all humanity, was dead. The Plaguewind would blow no more.
Ryo was engaged with the woodsman when he morphed and changed, growing larger and furrier... until he took the form of a giant brown bear! The samurai fought valiantly, but proved to be no match for a raging bear. So for the second time since our tale began (but the first of which Ryo is aware), a large bear put him to the ground.
About this point, Ricky had made himself scarce, so the only remaining members of the enemy group were Sir Ambrose, and Valder the bear. Between them, the group managed to calm the bear enough to get him back into human form (also tending to Ryo's wounds until he was conscious again.) Damas regained control of his limbs and spoke with Ambrose, one of his former mentors.
Explaining that his only option was to take the group back, Damas countered by letting him know that they had an important mission, and that return was impossible. Through some coaxing, the group attempted to show that they were not evil. An offer was extended for Ambrose to accompany them until the point where he was convinced that they were not criminals.
Knowing this wasn't an option, Ambrose's keen old mind did come up with an idea. "So you're saying that since you've defeated me in battle you are now taking me as prisoner. Is that correct?" Damas and She'dra looked back and forth to one another. She'dra replied: "If that is the way we need to play this, then yes."
Ambrose held out his hands and had them bound in rope. She'dra also made sure to let Ambrose know that as a prisoner he was responsible to look after himself and his weapons and armor. Sir Ambrose gave a slight nod.
Turning their attention to Evan Darkmoor (who had already informed the group that their battles were their own), he had nothing but praise for the group, suggesting that they may be prepared to be the kind of party to save the world. An awestruck She'dra asked him countless questions about Grand Archmage Ralphus, and continually spoke to Evan in Elven, despite his protesting. (Evan was raised amongst humans and tends to act that way. He finds little patience for Elves...)
Deciding not to waste anymore time, the group went straight to the conclave, through to the magical teleporting rings, and directly to the doors to the grand archmage's sanctum sanctorum. The scene between She'dra and Evan was once again replayed with "Scooter" playing the awestruck fanboy. Promising him an exclusive interview later, Evan stood in front of the double doors and knocked.
Nothing.
Pleading with the doors and informing them that he knew that the mage knew that he was there, Evan knocked again.
Nothing.
Begging not to make him "do it," Evan waited. Nothing. A sigh. "Fine. OH PLEASE OH GREAT GRAND ARCHMAGE AND MASTER OF ALL FORCES ARCANE! ALLOW ME, BUT A SIMPLE PEASANT NAMED EVAN DARKMOOR TO BASK IN YOUR GLORIOUS MIGHT AS A BUG IN THE FACE OF THE BLISTERING HEAT OF THE SUN! ALLOW ME TO..."
And the doors slid open to reveal an older elven man leaning up against the wall and smiling wryly. "I hate you," said Evan entering the room.
Claiming to know everything about the mission, Ralphus had said that he's prepared the spell to teleport them, but that he and Evan had a more important mission on another plane to attend to, so he would be unable to bring them back.
Scoffing at the "more important" comment, Zerin and Ralphus each went back and forth for a moment touting their own personal powers (flexing nuts, yo.) Zerin claimed that the mage couldn't possibly understand the power of the gems and their impact on the world! Ralphus countered that "the world" is a tiny concept and that he's saved this world from countless outerplanar threats almost daily!
Agreeing to disagree, Ralphus noticed that the numbers were off... "Are there more of you? I prepared the spell for a certain number... Perhaps I could do one more, but..."
Taking this opportunity to beg for his release, Valder apologized for the job he'd taken, but asked if he could return home to his wife and children. Agreeing, the group set him free and the numbers fixed themselves again.
Before they went, Ralphus had a gift for a few of them... He had prepared the spells to remove the marks of justice placed upon the prisoners. With She'dra's permission, each of the men would be released and never have to suffer the ill effects of the mark (unlike poor Ricky...). She'dra agreed, and Ryo, Emerys, Edge and Lunk were all set free.
One final gift before the journey continued... a little trinket to Ralphus at this point, but perhaps something useful and meaningful to She'dra... The very same Ram's head ring from his early adventuring days. It had always served him well, and perhaps now it could help a new mage in a new group of heroes. She'dra was speechless.
With all of that out of the way, Evan and Ralphus wished them good luck even as they were about to set out on their own adventure. (Another tale for another time perhaps) Unleashing mighty arcane forces and controlling them with ease, Ralphus spun them into the proper shape and cast them upon the symbol drawn on the floor. To those standing upon it, the room seemed to spin faster and faster until all beyond the edges was a blur. As the world started to slow down, they realized that they were standing on a beach, sand under their feet and the ocean lazily washing up onto the shor behind them. Looking up they saw a large mountain at the center of the island, and a village off in the distance.
And so the group arrived safely 2 days ahead of Malcolm on the Island of the Onyx Veil... home of the Nimblestone...
So the time came and the group was all united in the same place. Little did they know that Ridgeshire's strike force had arrived and was stalking them even as they spoke. Maxmillion Slade, professional killer for hire, was tasked with beginning the battle. Using his abilities he made himself invisible and slowly stalked the brave knight Sir Damas. Studying him for a weak spot, he finally noticed a slight chink in his armor (no Chinese jokes, please.) Readying himself he called on his years of training and made sure that missing the spot would not be an option. Lining up his shot, he stabbed with all his might.
The rest of the group saw Damas stiffen and drop to the ground as a shape shimmered and materialized in front of them! A small man dressed in black pulled his sword from Damas as he fell and casually said hello: "Greetings from Ridgeshire!" The poison coursing through Damas' veins was only meant to incapacitate, and so he fought to regain control of his motor functions as the battle began...
With first blood struck, the rest of the group entered the fray. Sir Ambrose the Cunning, aged knight of some regard appeared to be leading the group. Wu, an elemental mage, joined by a shapeshifting warrior named Valder Gunnarson, "Black" Adam Bloodseed a half-elven Arcane Archer who's made it his life's goal to slaughter both humans and elves, and a monstrous Ravager of the land known as Luthor Plaguewind.
Slade moved on to his next target... the less than well protected She'dra! Stabbing through his soft robes, he did some serious damage to the elven mage. Slade's joy would be short lived, however, as his life came to an end mere moments later at Edge'd furious charging blade. The powerful enchantment functioning exactly as Edge had hoped, his mighty falchion struck true, and sliced all the way through the assassin's body. Maxmillion Slade fell to the ground dead, his murderous career at an end.
Wu, meanwhile, was using his elemental powers to rain down upon the land a hail of large stones. Always recognizing the dangers of magic, She'dra decided that it was his job to take down this strange magic user. Arcane energies sparked back and forth. Wu created an earthquake tearing the ground asunder in a straight line through our allies, while She'dra shot back with flaming bursts of magical energy. In the end, a well placed fireball incinerated Wu where he stood.
Emerys and "Black" Adam immediately recognized a fellow bowman, and engaged each other relatively quickly. Arrows flew back and forth, more reaching their targets than missing. Infused with arcane energy along with years of practice (not to mention his own personal hatred for humans), "Black" Adam's arrows repeatedly hit Emerys causing a great deal of damage. On his return shots, Emerys hit just as often using his skills at running and gunning in conjunction with his father's bow and its powerful magic in vanquishing evil foes. Each arrow filled with sacred, divine energy tore through "Black" Adam causing especially nasty wounds. As a last ditch effort, Adam attempted to cast a spell on Emerys, but it failed. Realizing he had left himself exposed, "Black" Adam dropped his bow to his side and said simply: "Finish it." Not taking any chances with the ruthless killer, Emerys let fly an arrow right into his eye. Humans and elves no longer need be concerned that they are being stalked by the vicious killer "Black" Adam.
Sir Ambrose engaged Edgerrin, repeatedly asking for the group's surrender. He was joined by a summoned Terra Cotta warrior brought to the battle by Wu. Edge fought each of them on his own until he was joined by... Lunk??!
Inquiring as to how Lunk got free, the answer was given... "Ricky let me go!"
Then where was Ricky?? Zerin found out... Engaged in a battle with the monstrous Luthor Plaguewind, Zerin was holding his own but most assuredly not having an easy time disposing of the frightening warrior. Long ago having given his soul to the dark god Erythnul, Luthor seemed to exude evil to the point where fighting him was a most uncomfortable challenge. Each of his blows seemed infused with negative energy, and aimed precisely towards some vital piece of anatomy or another. Yet still, given all of this Zerin was continuing to fight when a dagger found its way into his kidney!
Turning his attention behind him, it seemed that Ricky the Blade had finally picked his spot. No longer able to hold back, Zerin faced off with Luthor and unleashed his divine might. Channeling through his hand, he grabbed Luthor by the shoulder and commanded... "Die!" Erythnul, never one to back a losing horse, abandoned his thrall. Luthor's heart promptly stopped, and thus Luthor Pleaguewind, scourge of all humanity, was dead. The Plaguewind would blow no more.
Ryo was engaged with the woodsman when he morphed and changed, growing larger and furrier... until he took the form of a giant brown bear! The samurai fought valiantly, but proved to be no match for a raging bear. So for the second time since our tale began (but the first of which Ryo is aware), a large bear put him to the ground.
About this point, Ricky had made himself scarce, so the only remaining members of the enemy group were Sir Ambrose, and Valder the bear. Between them, the group managed to calm the bear enough to get him back into human form (also tending to Ryo's wounds until he was conscious again.) Damas regained control of his limbs and spoke with Ambrose, one of his former mentors.
Explaining that his only option was to take the group back, Damas countered by letting him know that they had an important mission, and that return was impossible. Through some coaxing, the group attempted to show that they were not evil. An offer was extended for Ambrose to accompany them until the point where he was convinced that they were not criminals.
Knowing this wasn't an option, Ambrose's keen old mind did come up with an idea. "So you're saying that since you've defeated me in battle you are now taking me as prisoner. Is that correct?" Damas and She'dra looked back and forth to one another. She'dra replied: "If that is the way we need to play this, then yes."
Ambrose held out his hands and had them bound in rope. She'dra also made sure to let Ambrose know that as a prisoner he was responsible to look after himself and his weapons and armor. Sir Ambrose gave a slight nod.
Turning their attention to Evan Darkmoor (who had already informed the group that their battles were their own), he had nothing but praise for the group, suggesting that they may be prepared to be the kind of party to save the world. An awestruck She'dra asked him countless questions about Grand Archmage Ralphus, and continually spoke to Evan in Elven, despite his protesting. (Evan was raised amongst humans and tends to act that way. He finds little patience for Elves...)
Deciding not to waste anymore time, the group went straight to the conclave, through to the magical teleporting rings, and directly to the doors to the grand archmage's sanctum sanctorum. The scene between She'dra and Evan was once again replayed with "Scooter" playing the awestruck fanboy. Promising him an exclusive interview later, Evan stood in front of the double doors and knocked.
Nothing.
Pleading with the doors and informing them that he knew that the mage knew that he was there, Evan knocked again.
Nothing.
Begging not to make him "do it," Evan waited. Nothing. A sigh. "Fine. OH PLEASE OH GREAT GRAND ARCHMAGE AND MASTER OF ALL FORCES ARCANE! ALLOW ME, BUT A SIMPLE PEASANT NAMED EVAN DARKMOOR TO BASK IN YOUR GLORIOUS MIGHT AS A BUG IN THE FACE OF THE BLISTERING HEAT OF THE SUN! ALLOW ME TO..."
And the doors slid open to reveal an older elven man leaning up against the wall and smiling wryly. "I hate you," said Evan entering the room.
Claiming to know everything about the mission, Ralphus had said that he's prepared the spell to teleport them, but that he and Evan had a more important mission on another plane to attend to, so he would be unable to bring them back.
Scoffing at the "more important" comment, Zerin and Ralphus each went back and forth for a moment touting their own personal powers (flexing nuts, yo.) Zerin claimed that the mage couldn't possibly understand the power of the gems and their impact on the world! Ralphus countered that "the world" is a tiny concept and that he's saved this world from countless outerplanar threats almost daily!
Agreeing to disagree, Ralphus noticed that the numbers were off... "Are there more of you? I prepared the spell for a certain number... Perhaps I could do one more, but..."
Taking this opportunity to beg for his release, Valder apologized for the job he'd taken, but asked if he could return home to his wife and children. Agreeing, the group set him free and the numbers fixed themselves again.
Before they went, Ralphus had a gift for a few of them... He had prepared the spells to remove the marks of justice placed upon the prisoners. With She'dra's permission, each of the men would be released and never have to suffer the ill effects of the mark (unlike poor Ricky...). She'dra agreed, and Ryo, Emerys, Edge and Lunk were all set free.
One final gift before the journey continued... a little trinket to Ralphus at this point, but perhaps something useful and meaningful to She'dra... The very same Ram's head ring from his early adventuring days. It had always served him well, and perhaps now it could help a new mage in a new group of heroes. She'dra was speechless.
With all of that out of the way, Evan and Ralphus wished them good luck even as they were about to set out on their own adventure. (Another tale for another time perhaps) Unleashing mighty arcane forces and controlling them with ease, Ralphus spun them into the proper shape and cast them upon the symbol drawn on the floor. To those standing upon it, the room seemed to spin faster and faster until all beyond the edges was a blur. As the world started to slow down, they realized that they were standing on a beach, sand under their feet and the ocean lazily washing up onto the shor behind them. Looking up they saw a large mountain at the center of the island, and a village off in the distance.
And so the group arrived safely 2 days ahead of Malcolm on the Island of the Onyx Veil... home of the Nimblestone...
posted by Ryan Vaughn | 2:01 PM
1 Comments:
Heh, "Edge'd."
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