Tears of Taija: The End!

[MDSnowman]

Interlude #30

Lady Melinda Mercanti was brushing her long brown hair slowly, sitting in her bedroom, the moonlight coming in through the window. She gazed into her mirror, not at herself, but at the Silver Armor adorning a dressing doll in the corner. It’d been months since they took the Holy Flacons away from her. The demotion was framed as a reassignment, but everyone knew, Melinda’s command structure had been destroyed, and she had been taken captive by one of the most infamous enemies of the church.

She signed and hung her head, she didn’t blame them for taking away her command. Sure, she was technically a Knight Defender now, but it was only a way to quell the protests of her influential family. She had gotten Ermano, Vento, and Oswald killed, she knew that now, even accepted it, but it still caused her a great deal of pain to think about what had occurred under her order.

She was alone in with her thoughts when her bedroom door swung open. Before Melinda could see who it was she covered her dressing gown and screamed. The figure that entered the room was on her in a second and covered her mouth before the scream fully escaped her lips. She glared at the man who had broken in unannounced, until she recognized the Squire’s face.

“I’m not here to hurt you. If I remove my hand can we speak calmly?” He whispered.

Melinda nodded in response and The Squire removed his hand wiping some of her spittle on his cloak and taking a step back. Melinda took a moment to catch her breath.

“What are you doing here?!?” Melinda hissed under her breath.

“I’ve come to finish something I started twenty years ago.” He said simply.

“What? You mean the Elder Priest, and the War Marshal?!?” Melinda went wide eyed.

“Yes. I was working with some people, admittedly nefarious people. They promised me that in exchange for my help they’d help me kill the two of them. I took them at their word.” The Squire growled.

“I take it by your tone, and you being here, they were less than truthful.” Melinda said crossing her arms over her chest.

“Correct, in fact they actively betrayed me. They gave the Elder Priest a being of great power confined in a magical gem. By sacrificing what one cares for the most the being in the gem fuses with the bearer of the gem’s soul and the result is a being incredibly powerful and insane.” The Squire said.

“I think you just described an abomination, monsters from before time. They say Taija bound them into those gems. But, if they have something like that why give it to someone outside their conspiracy?” Melinda asked, still trying to protect her modesty.

“Because, they have all thirteen and know how dangerous they are.” He replied flatly.

“By Taija…” Melinda murmured.

“I don’t know their whole plan, but I know the longer an Abomination is bound to a single soul the stronger it becomes. I have to kill Elder Priest DuNuiture when there’s still a chance I’m able to.”

“DuNuiture has been very different lately. And you want my help in killing him. Why should I oblige you? You cost me my command.” Melinda scowled at him.

“Because, you know how dangerous these Abominations are, academically at least. What kind of damage do you think the Elder Priest will do as one before anyone catches on to what he’s doing? And of course if you do stop him without me, that leaves twelve more waiting to cause equal amounts of chaos. I know where to find this conspiracy, or at least what they’re after. You’re much more likely to stop them and discover where they put the other twelve Abominations with my help.” The Squire simply shrugged speaking in a matter of fact manner.

“And you’d help me in finding them?” Melinda required.

“They betrayed me, I’m going to line up their corpses right next to Elder Priest DuNuiture and the War Marshal’s.” The Squire nearly growled their names.

“You’re asking me to kill one of the most powerful men in the church, in all of Darkon.” She shook her head.

“Fine, sit on guard duty until your parents marry you off to some fop, or pick up a sword and help me. That’s your choice.” The Squire tilted his head, his body language saying that the third option, trying to stop him, did not seem likely.

“What do you need?” Melinda asked with a quirked brow. They would have this conversation later, when Melinda was armed and armored.

“You were recently made a Knight Defender. I need you to get me into the Grand Library, and only Elder Priests, their closest servants, and Knight Defenders are allowed inside. DuNuiture is in the Seventh Catacomb. Get me even close to him and I’ll finish him once and for all.”

[Dreaming Psion]

Personally, I'm almost of the opinion that we get Vai to create a "Nuke from Orbit" spell and take out the Elder Priest's abominations, the Squire, the Passenger, and any other bastards that just happen to be in the area with one big go. The church could really use some new high ups with better judgment anyway.

[Pandaman]

Cant we all just get along!

[Unknown Soldier]

Once everyone else is dead, we'll get along swell!

[MDSnowman]

<@AndyGM> When we last left our heroes they were hold up in the City Home of Anis' aunt formulating a plan for getting into the great library and finding the information they sought. Their plan, thus far, centered on Vai using a ritual to teleport the group the short distance to the library without having to deal with all the security throughout the city.
<Petra2> "So, how much longer till we get to the fun part of not sitting around?"
<Anistyrnia> She is busy putting the finishing touches on the ritual. A wide circle is etched in the floor and seven candles are lit around the intricate pattern. She is floating in the center, going over everything for the sixth time.
<Anistyrnia> "Dugall" Anistyrnia says. "Go over exactly where we are going again, please."
<Makhpia> "Not much longer I'd think. Vai looks to be almost done setting things up." Mak whispers to Petra.
<Matuzack> Matuzack snorted at the candles and circles. Magic. Feh.
<Dugall> "Let's see here." Dugall recalled the path he took, "It was in the catacombs beneath the library. The seventh catacomb. A gated area."
<DemonessJade> "And I'm staying here." She reiterated with a quick nod of her head.
<Dugall> "Do you need somebody to stay with you?"
<Matuzack> "We're going to a Library, right?"
<Dugall> "Beneath one, yeah."
<Anistyrnia> She closes her eyes and shakes her head. "Alright... I think I am ready as much as you are." She steps down and retrieves her bow and arrows and goes back to the circle.
<Matuzack> "Then why is Jade staying?"
<DemonessJade> "Cauuuussseeee." She's really going; she's just being a jackass.
<Anistyrnia> "Come Jade," she says. "I won’t let anything happen to you."
<Matuzack> He rolled his eyes and put the finishing touches on his freshly sharpened Harpoon. "Let's go, then. We'll leave the weak demon here." He said the last words with a wry smile.
<Dugall> "Will this take us into the catacombs or just to the library?"
<DemonessJade> "Uh huh the weak one." She agreed with a playful narrowed gaze.
<Anistyrnia> "Are we ready?" she asks as she ties her hair behind her head
<Makhpia> "I am" Mak replies, still pacing as she had been for the entire wait.
<DemonessJade> "Let's do this."
<Petra2> "Ready to go." Petra says she walks up by Jade.
<Dugall> "Yep, where in the library is this going to land us?"
<Anistyrnia> She stands there and raises her arms up over her head. "Taija, guide our passage and make it safe," she whispers and they are gone
<@AndyGM> There was a blinding light and the entire group vanished. They felt the sensation of falling, but as their eyes cleared they saw they were falling towards the library, the night sky outside and the cityscape in front and back of them respectively. Then they reached the library they felt themselves sliding inside like water down a hillside, moving fast, and unseen. They went down stairs, lots and lots of stairs. When they saw a large metal gate below them it glowed brightly as they drew closer. The entire trip came to an abrupt stop and the teleportation ended depositing the entire group on their backs on the stone floor outside the 7th Catacomb. The perfect trap really, anyone trying to teleport into the restricted section would find themselves prone in front of barred gate and scores of guards. Of course, that trap would work perfectly if the scores of guards were there. Instead there were scores of dead bodies. Standing by the gate was the familiar form of the Squire. He was locked in combat with an older armored man swords clashing violently. Staring in shock nearby was Melinda Mercanti not sure what she was watching.
<Matuzack> Matuzack raised his arms over his head. "Taija. You need to learn what safe means." he lowered his arms, "So what do we do?"
<Anistyrnia> She got up quickly! "By Taija, what are we getting into here?"
<@AndyGM> The Squire looked over his shoulder. "What in the nine hells are you all doing here?" That instant of distraction cost him as the old man connected a sword swing to his side sending the Squire reeling backwards.
<Matuzack> "Ah hell." Matuzack hefted his harpoon, sending it flying at the man attack the Squire.
<Makhpia> Mak lurches to her feet. "Should have known the plan seemed too easy."
<Dugall> "Well, looks like a reunion of our old foes. That Taija pawn, then the Squire, he's with the abominations. Dunno who that other guy is. Do you?" he turned to Vai.
<Petra2> "We came for what is behind that stupid gate; we are going to get it." Petra said, trying to focus on the stone around the gate and will it to crush the stupid thing standing in their way.
<@AndyGM> One of the wounded knights reaches out and grabs Makhpia by the ankle before going limp.
<Anistyrnia> "That is War Marshal of the Coming Dawn! Are we too late!?"
<@AndyGM> Matuzack's Harpoon strikes the War marshal’s armor and it clatters to the floor having done no damage.
<Dugall> Dugall enshrouded himself in darkness of the catacombs, disappearing from view to take advantage of the fracas.
<@AndyGM> The stone walls, floor, and ceiling around the gate flex, tearing the metal to pieces.
<@AndyGM> Melinda runs to Anis. "Elder Priest DuNuiture!! He's become an abomination; The Squire came here to kill him."
<Anistyrnia> "I am not sure who we are to aid here," she mutters. "That answers that," she said as she nocks an arrow
<Makhpia> Makhpia draws her spear, and circles around the fight before lunging forward.... only to attack The Squire. Makhpia's spear drives itself into the Squire's back and erupts by his shoulder. He cries out in pain and falls to a knee.
<Anistyrnia> "Kill the War Marshall! We must make for DuNuiture!"
<Dugall> Dugall tries to move past the chaos, to take a quick look-see at the library and if it held anybody inside.
<Petra2> Forming an armor of solid stone around herself, Petra held herself back to assess what was going on before acting, hope Mat's attack would turn the tide in their favor.
<Anistyrnia> "Taija, let me arrow seek out the abomination!" as she fires her Tears of Tajia
<@AndyGM> The Magic arrow misses its mark and buries itself into a stone wall.
<DemonessJade> Jade bypasses the others and heads for the War Marshal to offer him a little soul fire.
<@AndyGM> The Black Flames of Soul Fire strike the War Marshal and he roars in sudden pain. For a moment his eyes turn from bright blue to the dull brown eyes of an old man, but quickly change back as they fix on Jade.
<@AndyGM> The Squire kneels on the ground with Makhpia's spear in his back the young Orc standing over him with a psychotic smile on her face.
<Petra2> Petra willed the stone beneath the War Marshal to form around him and hold him tight.
<@AndyGM> The War Marshal rolls to the side avoiding the shifting Earth, for an old man he's surprisingly quick.
<Makhpia> Makhpia twists the spear in the squire’s shoulder and attempts to rip it out of him viciously, all while grinning.
<@AndyGM> Makhpia rips the spear out of the wound causing the blood to flow freely.
<@AndyGM> The War Marshal, seeing The Squire taken care of momentarily turns to Jade. The few wounds he has suffered close up as his flesh puckers and simmers giving off a foul smell before fully healing without signs of a scar. He lunged at Jade his sword narrowly missing her stomach. "Repent heathens; bow before my Lord now and I will grant you all a quick death."
[22:07] <Matuzack> Matuzack jerks hard on the chain, sending it toward the War Marshal.
<@AndyGM> Matuzack threw his harpoon missing his foe entirely.
<Matuzack> Matuzack turns toward Mak, "Mak. You're attacking the wrong person."
<@AndyGM> Melinda look around horrified not sure what to do.
<Anistyrnia> The arrow remains lodged but it continues in spiritual form.
<@AndyGM> The energy of the air flew through the air and struck the War Marshal clean in the back causing him to lurch forward falling to a knee.
<Anistyrnia> She growls. "Makphia!"
<DemonessJade> "Sorry buddy." Jade offered as she hit the War Marshall with soul fire again.
<@AndyGM> The black fire strikes him and he lets out a wordless cry of pain.
<@AndyGM> The Squire wrenches himself to his feet and stares at Mak, and then... starts talking to himself. "Oh I get it, Byron’s pet... Salem sent you to stop me eh? You're going to need more than that to kill me." He lifted his sword... and drove it into Makhpia's chest. Only the blade turned to smoke an instant before hitting her skin, and instead of erupting from her back a man sized plume of black smoke with red glowing eyes escaped her from behind. "Melinda... now." The Squire uttered. Then the young woman composed herself enough to lift a hand and cry. "Dark Spirit! In Taija's name I banish you!" A silver light shot from her hand and struck the cloud monster which vanished into thin air.
<Matuzack> "Mak. You good?"
<Anistyrnia> She looks around. "Where is Dugall?" she says
<Dugall> "Coast looks clear in; here. Nobody in sight" Dugall yells from the library.
<Petra2> "He walked in after I wrecked the gate. And there he is, making a lot of noise and probably alerting them to our presence."
<@AndyGM> The squire limped over The War Marshal and sneered. "I wish I had time to nail you to a tree you son of a bitch... but this will have to do." He lifts his sword and slices off The War Marshal's head with a single blow. He then spits on the old man's corpse as it begins to dissolve into a pile of goo.
<Makhpia> Makhpia collapses to her knees, muttering in orcish. She blinks and looks around; looking at her hands as she slowly opens and closes them. "It's gone, oh spirits it’s gone."
<Petra2> "Mak, are you hurt? Do you need healing before we press on?"
<Dugall> Dugall begins looking for the information they need while the others talk, concealing himself again. If they were taking this long, obviously it was something important.
<Makhpia> "No, we don't have time for rest now. I'm... unhurt." she says shakily.
<Anistyrnia> She goes over to the Marshall and says a prayer to Taija over the fallen man
<DemonessJade> "Um ... Squire. I think I should have his head for my collection, don't you?"
<Petra2> "We need to hurry, just because Dugall doesn't see anyone doesn't mean there is no one nearby." Petra said as she headed towards the wrecked gate and into the room beyond.
<@AndyGM> The Squire quirks a brow at Jade. "Do what you want... but there's nothing left." He motioned to the head, already turning into a amber colored puddle of slime. "When you willingly drink an Abomination's blood it makes you stronger, harder to kill. But when you are dead your flesh turns to crap."
<DemonessJade> "I actually prefer souls big man but hey, to each his own. Let's get out of here."
<Anistyrnia> "Where is DuNuiture?" she says. "I would not have an abomination in charge of the church!"
<Matuzack> "Don't we have a book to be finding?"
<Makhpia> Mak walks through the gate, although she's a bit jumpy and shaky as she goes through the gate.
<@AndyGM> "DuNuiture is up ahead. He's systematically destroying any mention of the Red Knight, so when he moves to take over the church he'll have dirt on VanHouten."
<Anistyrnia> "Why? What is so important about the Red Knight?"
<@AndyGM> The room beyond the gate was huge, filled with rows upon rows of shelves filled with books, scrolls, and the like.
<@AndyGM> "I don't know the details, I don't care much about faith, all I know is that Elder Priest VanHouten wants it quiet, and has killed anyone who ever found out anything. Present company excluded." The Squire shrugged and put a hand on his side.
<Petra2> "Come on, guys. Get to looking. I would help but I think I will just stand guard." Petra said as she stood near the center of the room, trying to sense anyone or thing heading their way.
<Anistyrnia> She is following the Squire as they make there way into the library. "VanHouten, DuNuitre," she tries to not let her anger get a hold of her. "VanHouten, is he an abomination to?''
<Petra2> "Guys, I think you should go over and talk to whoever that is." Petra says as she points in the direction of the farther edge of the room, towards someone just sitting there.
<@AndyGM> "No... he's just an asshole." The Squire retorted.
<Makhpia> Mak moves slowly through the room, looking at the various books, scrolls and documents, looking for anything that might look relevant. She looks over her shoulder nervously as Petra points in a direction, as if afraid the dark cloud spirit was back.
<Anistyrnia> "He must go too," she mutters. She nocks another arrow... "Who is there?"
<DemonessJade> She nudges the Squire. "Why does Salem want you dead?"
<@AndyGM> "I found out she was siding with DuNuiture, she and Tombs gave him an abomination. Given the only reason I agreed to help them was that they were going to help me kill the Elder Priest, I walked out on them. Salem doesn't take rejection well... if you're that Demon she's got a mad-on for I believe you already know that." The Squire grinned at Jade.
<@AndyGM> As Petra said that footsteps echoed through the room as a shadowed figure walked into view. It was an old man, wearing the brilliant red, orange, and white robe of an elder priest. He clapped gently. "Abomination is such an ugly word my boy, and it doesn't begin to do Justice to the kind of power I was graced with."
<DemonessJade> "The one and only." She confirmed and shifted her attention to the priest. "Looks like all you have to do is ask for something around here." She paused. "I want a million dollars!"
<Anistyrnia> She growls. "DuNuiture. End this abomination and save your soul!"
<@AndyGM> "Sorry, doll, you only get the crap you'll regret asking for around these guys." The Squire lifted his sword and glanced at the Elder Priest. "So Greg, how's it going? You miss me?"
<Makhpia> Makhpia jumps before turning around. She breathes deeply, feeling the bear's strength and power flow into her, helping calm her for the moment.
<@AndyGM> "My dear, the thing you call an abomination, and I are one now. And we are... perfect." That last word echoed throughout the room and there was a flash of light. As everyone's vision cleared where the Elder Priest stood was a tall beautiful man with long golden hair, six white feathered wings, and dressed in a gorgeous robe, wreathed in bright light. If one looked closer the red in his robe flowed down to the floor forming piles of fresh blood, but it was hard to see for the bright, almost angelic smile on his face.
<DemonessJade> "Aw come on ..." Jade groaned.
<Makhpia> "Perfect? Your soul is rotten down to the core, ever since you were weak and accepted that creature in." Mak snarls, the bear spirit making her very confrontational.
<@AndyGM> "Don't let the wings fool you. He's about as Angelic as what's left of his buddy back there." The Squire smirked.
<Petra2> "Okay, so he got taller and has some wings. I can make that out. Doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me." Petra said, keeping her guard up and armor on.
<Anistyrnia> She snarls. "The church is rotten... it must be cleaned to save it."
<@AndyGM> "I trust from the tones of your voices that you will not accept my will as the War Marshal did?" He glanced around, almost bored.
<DemonessJade> Okay now she laughed. "He's funny."
<Dugall> Dugall got into position for a sneak attack on the elder priest, readying his tendrils for a surprise.
<Makhpia> "I'm not going back to being someone else's puppet!" roars Makhpia and she charges him.
<Dugall> Dugall struck from the shadows as Mak charged him.
<@AndyGM> As the two drew close the aura of light around the priest flared brilliantly, and as Dugall's shadow tendrils struck him they were turned aside as they struck his skin. The bright light overcomes Dugall blinding him. The Elder Priest Abomination crossed a pair of muscular arms over his chest and smiles. "I will enjoy ending you all."

[MDSnowman]

<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest, no a faux angelic Abomination stood proudly in the seventh Catacomb with his arms folded over his chest, pale blue eyes scanning the group as light wreathed his body. His six wings flexed in anticipation and he whispered softly. "If you think you're ready, come and test yourselves." The Elder Priest, seeing no one make the first move glances at Melinda and she's suddenly thrown from her feet through the air, striking a thick wooden bookshelf knocking it over. Next he turned his gaze to Anis, and she felt an irresistible wave of pure force wash over her like the tide. Like Melinda before her Anis is launched into the air like a rag doll, falling on her back on the stone floor with a crash. Though seriously shaken by the blow she manages to keep her force field up throughout the onslaught.
<Petra3> "You are going to pay for harming one of my family!" Petra yells in rage, as she dashes at the former Elder Priest, forming a stone hammer in her hands along the way. Closing distance, she swung repeatedly at him with full force, hoping to harm this monster.
<@AndyGM> The bright light surrounding the Elder Priest doesn't hinder the blind girl in the slightest, but as she closes the gap between them he simply side steps her swings, all without moving his hands in the slightest.
<Makhpia> Mak steps back and throws her spear at the elder priest, continuing to channel the bear spirit.
<@AndyGM> The Elder priest grins and steps aside as the spears sails by him. "Really? These are the heretics that had VanHouten so scared?"
<@AndyGM> "No, assh*le." The Squire stood up and glanced back at Melinda briefly. "This is the heretic that you spent the last thirty years running from." The Squire lifted his sword above his head, and just held it there. The bright light of The Elder Priest's aura rushed away from his body and to the tip of the sword. The Elder Priest looked around in surprise as the room darkened visibly.
<DemonessJade> "What do you want me to do?" Jade shrugged as she shifted her gaze between the squire and whoever is after. She was holding her action to combine with the 'heretic' behind her.
<@AndyGM> "My sword... it's making him vulnerable... but I don't know how long I can keep it up."
<DemonessJade> "Very well." Jade decided to give him the ole one two when it came to causing him a deep pain in his priestly soul.
<@AndyGM> Jade launched a ball of black fire from her Palm and the Elder Priest finally moved his arm catching the ball of fire easily.
<Dugall> Not knowing the light had died down, Dugall moved back out of what he thought the aura's range was, before flinging his writhing tentacles out blindly.
<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest, a suddenly shocked expression on his face his forced to wheel around as the blind tentacles find their mark.
<Dugall> "Go, get him now!"
<@AndyGM> The shadowy tendrils wrap themselves around his wrists and neck dragging him towards the ground as he struggles.
<Anistyrnia> She chokes and stands her shields flaring. "You are an abomination! A blight upon this world, and a shame upon Taija!" She starts to pray, bringing up her bow with a blazing arrow.
<Matuzack> Matuzack grinned wildly as he dashed past The Squire. As he ran, the stone floor began to crack as a harsh cold made it more and more brittle with each step. He pulled up short, feet biting into the frozen ground and put all the momentum gathered in the mad dash into the harpoon sending it hurtling through the air toward the Abomination.
<@AndyGM> The glowing arrow struck the Elder Priest's side at the same moment that Matuzack's harpoon struck home. He roared in anger as the power of the attacks managed to shatter the aura of force around him briefly and draw blood from his bronzed skin.
<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest growled and narrowed his eyes at Dugall, and suddenly the man's mind filled with images. Horrible things, things that were clearly perversions of any natural law. Things that defied explanation. The nightmarish images seared themselves into Dugall's mind and he let out a wordless scream as his shadow released The Elder Priest.
<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest then lifted his hand, still gripping Jade's Soul fire and launched it at the Squire. The ball of Fire narrowly missed the man holding his sword aloft.
<@AndyGM> Melinda rose from the wreckage of several crushed bookshelves and fired a beam of light at the Elder Priest, his rolled off of the energy surrounding him easily.
<Petra3> Petra backpedaled away from the Elder Priest, over to Anistyrnia's side and began to focus the healing energies of the earth into her. "We need all of us to take this guy down." she said, hoping it wouldn't take too long and she could go help Dugall.
<@AndyGM> Petra moves away from the fray and brings a glowing hand to Anis, causing bruises and broken bones to mend instantly. (Anis is no longer staggered)
<Makhpia> Makhpia decides to throw caution to the wind, charging the elder priest and attempting to punch him.
<@AndyGM> Makhpia keeps her eyes squinted and throws a mighty punch at the Elder Priest's midsection. There was a crunch and the Elder priest spit some black blood from his mouth snarling.
<@AndyGM> The Squire keeps his sword in the air, the metal now glowing brightly, the hilt sizzling where it touched the Squire's hand.
<DemonessJade> "Do you have any idea how much I dispute priests?" One certain priestess excluded, of course. Jade decided to use soul fire once again. "I used to eat you people for dinner."
<@AndyGM> The black fire strikes him in the face, but he merely shakes his head and smirks at Jade. "And, we have seen more demons than you could possibly imagine little one. I'd have to guess your ancestors were Fire Daemons... throwing around hellfire and soul fire like so much droppings."
<DemonessJade> "Wrong ... try again."
<Anistyrnia> Magic, she thought. She floats and crossed her legs and sits there and prays.
<@AndyGM> Anis Thrusts a palm forward and her magic blows aside The Elder Priest's brilliant aura leaving the room lit only by The Squire's glowing sword.
<Matuzack> Matuzack jerked the harpoon back to him deciding to risk the chance of being blinded. He closed the distance between the two of them and swung the harpoon.
<@AndyGM> Matuzack drove his Harpoon into the Elder Priest's side and he faltered on his feet, sinking to a knee coughing up black blood. (Follow up Attack)
<Matuzack> Matuzack moved with a now fluid and familiar movement, bringing the edge of the harpoon down on the Abomination's neck.
<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest lifted a bronzed arm and knocked Matuzack's arm aside casually as he stood back up.
<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest smirked softly. "Miss, you shouldn't undo another person's work... it isn't polite." A Wave of force lashed out striking Petra full in the gut. The force of the blow threw Petra from her feet. Suddenly her entire world went black as she was no longer in contact with the ground. As she floated in darkness Petra felt another wave of force, this one, pressed right against her chest, driving her back into the ground like a swatted fly. Petra is driven into the ground like a post, a loud crunching filling the room.
<Makhpia> Makhpia goes for a bear grab hoping to give Matuzack and the others a chance to hit him hard.
<@AndyGM> The Elder Priest roars and manages to push Makhpia away. The Squire grimaces in pain as his sword glows brightly... and slowly begins to melt.
<@AndyGM> Dugall's eyes clear and he can see perfectly.
<Dugall> Dugall cleared the cobwebs, and then saw the damage done. He silently launched wave after wave of tentacles at the abomination, going for vital spots and then would follow them up by holding the abomination down once again.
<@AndyGM> The shadowy tendrils slash at him viciously drawing lines of black blood from several small wounds. He stumbles backwards, but manages to keep the tendrils from wrapping around him.
<Anistyrnia> "Petra!" she cries as she goes flying. She snarls and raises her bow. "Taija, please help your servant," she prays. "You cry and shed your tears, not for us but for this fool who strayed from your path!"
<Matuzack> Matuzack raked the serrated edging of the harpoon down Gregori's blocking arm.
<@AndyGM> His bronzed skin sparked like steel as he dragged the serrated edge.
<Matuzack> With a quick motion, Matuzack brought the harpoon around in a wide arc, striking the Abomination like he were trying to fell a tree.
<@AndyGM> Matuzack brings that harpoon down and slices through the elder Priest's arm as Jade's Hellfire, a Bolt of Pure Light fired by Melinda, and a glowing magical arrow struck his exposed chest. Blowing a hole clean through the Elder Priest's upper chest and causing his to sink to both knees.
<Matuzack> "Second time around." Matuzack said, stepping into the same motion.
<@AndyGM> Matuzack swings the harpoon around and cuts the Elder Priest's head from his neck. Before it hits the ground it reverts into the corpse of an infirm man in his seventies, wearing a blood stained robe of an Elder Priest. At that moment the Squire tosses his sword away cursing loudly, gripping his hands.
<Anistyrnia> "Petra!" she cries out and runs to her!
<@AndyGM> The Squire slumps to the ground. "Melinda, see to the girl." Melinda glared at the Squire but complied running to Petra's side alongside Anis.
<Petra3> "Ugh, anyone get a look at the dragon who hit me with its tail?" Petra said, unable to move without it hurting a lot.
<Matuzack> Matuzack kicks the body over. While the others attend to Petra, he wraps his hand in a bit of cloth and begins searching the body for the Abomination's prison.
<Anistyrnia> "Its good to see you again," she smiles at Melinda
<Dugall> Dugall blinked, shifting the wounds of his body to his shadow
<Makhpia> Mak stalks away from the others, looking at the various bookshelves for the information they had been looking for.
<@AndyGM> Melinda smiled softly. "I suppose I owe you my thanks for saving my life..." Melinda pressed a hand to Petra's chest and her wounds began to heal slowly as soft silver light pulsed through her palm
<@AndyGM> Tucked in the man's robes was a perfectly round blue gem.
<Dugall> "So what happens now?"
<Anistyrnia> As she heals Petra she sighs in relief. "Still. I am sorry it had to happen. I could not see the Silver falcon go down."
<@AndyGM> "I know lying to you was wrong, but those were my orders..." She lowered her head and continued to heal Petra.
<Petra3> "No thanks needed. And that is in that past, no need to worry about it." Petra said with a smile on her face.
<Matuzack> "Do we have a way to get this...” He paused, looking at the gem. "Don't you start, too." He began wrapping the gem until the entire surface was covered. "We need to get this to Helene."
<Anistyrnia> "And I am sorry for your friends," she bows her head with sadness
<@AndyGM> The Squire snarls and looks to his side, his sword nothing but a puddle of melted slag. He stands up slowly and looks around. He walks up to Matuzack.
<Matuzack> Matuzack stared him in the eyes as he approached.
<@AndyGM> "I owe you my thanks... I couldn't have killed this dog myself." He reached into a pouch and produced a small scrap of parchment. He held it out in a badly burned hand. "This is my repayment of my debt to you."
<Matuzack> Matuzack took the parchment, glancing at it. "Rematch. Next time?"
<@AndyGM> The Squire nodded. "I was about to say the same thing. You've grown wiser since we first fought, and after I go back to find Salem I will be behind you. When we meet again, do not expect us to be allies."
<DemonessJade> Jade simply growled when she heard the name but kept quiet otherwise.
<Matuzack> "I look forward to it." Matuzack walked past The Squire and back toward the group. "Squirt okay?" He asked.
<Anistyrnia> "She is fine," she says as she smiles at Melinda
<@AndyGM> The Squire bent down and ripped the bloody robes from the Elder Priest's body, tore them into strips and wrapped his hands in them before walking away, pausing to pick up the sword of one of the fallen knights as she strolled away.
<@AndyGM> Melinda snarled glancing at the Squire. "I'm afraid I must go Lady Vai. This man knows too much about these abominations to let him get far away."
<Matuzack> "Don't try to stop him. He'll kill you." Matuzack said matter of fact.
<Petra3> "And call me squirt again and I will kick you again." Petra said with a mischievous grin on her face. "Thank you, Melinda. Take care." Petra said as she sat up and stretched her legs.
<Anistyrnia> "Go then. May we meet again in better times. Taija go with you. May you walk in her footsteps."
<@AndyGM> "I couldn't stop him if I wanted to. I will follow him and make sure that he takes these things down." She bowed her head. "May Taija guide you Sister." Melinda stood and ran off after the Squire.
<Anistyrnia> She helps Petra up. "Come now," she says. "Let us check you kicking leg.
<Matuzack> Matuzack gives the parchment a look over.
<Petra3> "Hehe." Petra said as she began to walk towards Mat, although not to kick him. "So, what does it say?"
<Makhpia> Mak, after observing all that happened, moves closer to hear what’s on the scroll, but remains a bit aloof and completely silent.
<@AndyGM> Written on the Parchment in flowing script was the passage. "And so did the Red Knight Astoak fall from the heavens. His physical body turned to dust, but his Lance of Twilight fell further, finally coming to rest in the Forest of Needles in the Distant land of Golden Sands"
<Matuzack> Matuzack read the passage, handing it to Vai. "Sounds like something you'd understand."
<Anistyrnia> With shaking hands she takes it and reads it over and over. "But Taija isn’t even mentioned here... why?"
<Dugall> "Did he fall, for something he did to her?"
<Anistyrnia> "I don’t know. But we are going to the land of the golden sands..."
<Dugall> Suddenly Dugall dazes off for a moment, reaching out.
<Dugall> "A black iron lance."
<Anistyrnia> "What do you know?" she cries
<Anistyrnia> "You know something! Spill it!"
<Petra3> "Wait, isn't something about black iron part of the prophecy?"
<Dugall> "Not much," he says plainly, "Just a brief flash, then falling, and grasping for the iron lance as it falls away from me. And only bright light after that."
<Makhpia> "Smoldering iron. The pilgrims will set off across the desert to find a tear of smoldering iron. I wonder who the pilgrims would be... is it us or someone else..." Mak says weakly.
<Matuzack> "It's us." Mat said firmly.
<Anistyrnia> She pales. "You are the Red Knight..." she says

[MDSnowman]

Act 3: Epilogue

The Squire winced as he sat in the back of the wagon. Not only was his sword, his greatest asset, a useless pile of melted metal in a library basement, but his hands were badly burned. He’d asked Melinda to heal them, but the Knight had demanded that they talk first. Hence why he sat on the wagon, his armor hidden in a pile of hay as she paced by the fire nearby where the wagon was placed.

“We can safely assume that I believe you about the abominations now.” Melinda explained. “That thing… that the Elder Priest became, I still have trouble wrapping my head around the scope of what you’re saying, however.”

“It’s simple. My former employers are spreading as many abominations around as they can. Put them in the right hands and suddenly some of the most powerful people in Darkon are horrific monsters, as twisted in mind as in body. They plan to find this Lance of Twilight and use it for some reason, they never told me how or why, but it would drive the continent into chaos. The abominations would act like a lubricant at the first hint of trouble they’d make things worse.” The Squire said, with the voice of a man who had explained this before and was becoming bored by it.

“How would they make it worse?” Melinda asked.

“Well look at DuNuiture. Before we killed him he was shouting anti-sidhe, anti-heretic rhetoric pretty loudly. Imagine an earthquake hits Limberry. He’s had people primed and foaming at the mouth. He blames the tragedy on the Sidhe, or on unbelievers, and suddenly we have thousands of sheep marching off to kill Sidhe, or turning on neighbors who missed church for whatever reason. Limberry would be in flames within a month, earthquake or no. Now multiple that chaos by twelve and that’s what the abominations’ role is in all of this.”

“So if this Lance of Twilight is so important why are we heading North and not East to the Desert?” Melinda asked crossing her arms over her chest.

“First, those six are on the Lance’s trail already. They’ll have a better chance of fighting off what comes after them than you and I would. Second, I don’t care about the Lance; I’m after Salem and Tombs for betraying me. Last time I saw Salem, she was North of here experimenting with the body of a fallen member of the Riders of the Coming Dawn.”

A horse burst through the undergrowth and through the camp fire. Sitting on it was a small lithe woman with long black hair worn in elaborate braids, dressed in a black and yellow dress, at her hip hung a black rapier. She narrowed her eyes at the Squire and growled. The Squire went for the sword hanging at his side, but the girl, Elena Kraits, leapt from her horse and landed on the Squire’s chest, pinning him to the wagon and putting the blade of her sword to his neck.

“What a coincidence, I wanted to have a talk with you about the body of a Rider of the Coming Dawn that you stole, you bastard!” Elena said with a bloodthirsty grin.

**
Byron stood proudly as his masterpiece slowly stood from the table that had served as his resting place for the past several months. The man that had been Grier Hexblade was deathly pale, almost bone white, his body crisscrossed with scars in various states of healing. His long pale blonde hair had been hacked down to reveal wide pale blue eyes, with bags underneath him. He stood up, naked, not saying a word, just staring at the wall in front of him. Byron was joined by the tall, ebony skinned form of Salem who put a hand on Byron’s shoulder and smiled in appreciation.

“I’ll be honest Byron darling, but I didn’t think you could do it.” Salem cooed.

“Ha! Ye of little faith Demon, I am an artist of the highest caliber.” Byron grinned.

“So what can this work of art do?” Salem asked dryly to the Mad Mage.

Byron lifted a small white gem and said. “Mr. Hexblade, kindly come here as quickly as you can.” Before he had finished the sentence Hexblade vanished only to reappear standing in front of the pair.

“My my my, Mr. Hexblade is as fast as the wind.” Salem smiled sliding her soft fingers over Byron’s collarbone. “May I, darling?” Salem said licking her plush black lips slowly.

Byron nodded and handed the gem to Salem. The Demoness admired the gem for a long time before whispering. “Hexblade, kill Byron.”

Byron turned his head to say something, to protest, or perhaps to voice his displeasure. But before his lips could part there was a sickening thunk and Hexblade’s hand was sticking out of the mad mage’s back. He withdrew his hand and the mage slumped to the ground, unmoving.

“Hexblade dear, I believe this is the start of a lovely partnership.” Salem purred slipping the gem into her white leather pants. “There’s much work for you to do darling, but something tells me that you can get it done in a timely fashion.” She leaned in and kissed Hexblade’s cheek, he didn’t react in the slightest, even with Byron’s heart clenched in his fist.

Coming next week
Tears of Taija: Act 4
The Lance of Twilight

[Psistrike]

And things just got a whole lot worse. More threats to deal with and problems to solve.

[Wisp]

Sometimes I think I need like a checklist for all the enemies we made, with a short description of them and a checkbox for current status, you know like currently dead, currently pursuing us, currently in limbo. We just have so many of them. I actually needed to go back and look to remember who Elena was...

[MDSnowman]

She was second Coming Dawn Rider to the left

[MDSnowman]

Act 4 Prologue

“I swear by Taija if this isn’t the place I’ll gut you and leave you to rot.” Elle Kraits growled as the trio rode down a dirt path.

“I told you this was the place little girl.” The Squire explained. “I brought your lover’s body here to the mage who lived in the nearby tower.”

“Um would it be that tower?” Melinda asked pointing up towards the side of the mountain. The tower was right where the Squire left it, of course it wasn’t on fire the last time he’d seen it.

“That’s the place Melinda.” The Squire sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Salem must be done with the place. She tends to do this to people she doesn’t have a use for anymore.”

“You told me he’d be here you bastard!” Elle roared turning her horse around and reaching for her sword.

“No, I told you I knew where he was the last time I saw him.” The Squire responded in a monotone.

“I just want to bury him, is that so much to ask?!?!” She continued yelling, her eyes starting to glisten.

“I should tell you, little sinker, that he’s likely not dead anymore.” The Squire said, letting Elle stare at him, her jaw dropping at that sentence. “Salem brought the mage here a blood sample, they used that, and the mage’s magic to resurrect him… make him more powerful, and most importantly, to control him.”

“WHERE IS HE?!” Elle was done playing around she drew her sword and snarled.

“I don’t know, but I do know where their next target is; East, in the land of Golden Sands.” The Squire said.

“Can we beat them there?” Elle asked clenching her fist.

“With our luck, no, but those six are already heading that way. Their luck is worse than ours… I’m willing to bet that they stumble across Salem, Tombs, and the rest of them.”

[MDSnowman]

<@AndyGM> The group left the Holy City of Merthia in a hurry. Dugall took an arm full of books from the library with him. In the chaos of the Elder Priest's assassination the group was able to slip into the night. They made east, heading once again into the Runewood their trip this time was much more uneventful. They traveled peacefully for weeks, eventually emerging in the Eastern Reaches and the seemingly endless green plains and occasion small thicket that marked that land. Still they traveled east, knowing that they had further still to go before they even glimpsed the Golden Sands.
<Matuzack> "How much bleeding farther is it?" Matuzack asked.
<LadyVai> She has been carving simple wooden charms made of wood and with loops bands of leather so they can be worn around the neck. She makes one for everyone. A big hulking guy for Matuzack, a little girl for Petra, a cloaked figure for Dugall, an animal shape for Makphia and a little shape with horns for Jade.
<Dugall> "Might as well enjoy the greenery while it's still around."
<LadyVai> "Here you go," she said with a smile as she passes them out. "So I can scry on you better."
<Makhpia> "Still some ways off." says Mak. "The Eastern Reaches is a large place."
<Matuzack> "I prefer white."
<Dugall> "Uhhh... thank you?"
<Petra2> "Do you really want to get into the scorching heat that soon, Mat?" Petra said as she kept her senses open to detect any threats. "Thanks, Anistyrnia." Petra said with a smile as she put her charm.
<Matuzack> Matuzack takes the charm and eyes it curiously. "What's this for?"
<LadyVai> She smiles a knowing smile. "You are welcome," she says. "So I can scry on you better should I need too. Nothing more."
<Makhpia> Mak takes the charm and puts it around her neck.
<Matuzack> "Hrm." With that, he stuffs the charm into a pouch.
<DemonessJade> "Aww thank you." No one ever made her a present before. Well, no one ever made her a present that didn't have evil attached to it.
<DemonessJade> "I for one, cannot wait for the heat."
<LadyVai> She bows to Dugall, something she has never done before. "It will come when it comes. I wonder what is like. Do you know Makphia?"
<Makhpia> "I've never been to the Golden Sands, but the heat must be sweltering if it's hotter than here." Mak comments a bit distracted.
<Matuzack> "I care not for the heat. I'm a cold bloo.." He cuts himself off, grimacing at his unintentional play on words.
<Dugall> Dugall takes a look at Lady Vai's figure, before storing it away in his cloak. He blinked and bowed his head slightly in return but didn't say anything in response.
<LadyVai> She snickers at Matuzack.
<Petra2> "So what are going to do when we get there? Travel by night and rest during the day. Or endure the heat and travel as far as possible before resting."
<Dugall> "The night time is the right time."
<LadyVai> She shrugs. "I do not know. You know this is the farthest I have ever traveled before."
<@AndyGM> As the group speaks the sound of combat rings out over a nearby hill. Steel on steel and guttural cries of fury.
<LadyVai> Shields up!
<Matuzack> Matuzack glances over to Jade, winks, and begins running toward the noise.
<Petra2> Petra began following behind Mat and forming her stone armor on the move. "At least a few days peace was nice."
<Dugall> Dugall says, "I’ll go on ahead and check, if no one minds?"
<@AndyGM> As Matuzack crests the hill he sees a dozen humans, on horses, armed with slim swords and pistols circling a group of six Orcs. Around the Orcs are three dead humans, six dead Orcs, and the bodies of at least four huge wolves. The Orcs are bloodied, and battered, clenching makeshift weapons and growling.
<Makhpia> Mak snarls. She doesn't like this.
<DemonessJade> Honestly, she didn't even want get into this.
<LadyVai> She flies up over Matuzack. "What by Taija goes on here!" she yells enough to be heard
<Matuzack> Matuzack slows, and begins to shout something. Instead, he rolls his eyes as Vai begins to talk for them.
<@AndyGM> The humans turn and one of them points a sword at the Orcs. "These monsters, they're threatening our city. Bunch of thieves and bandits!"
<Petra2> "Where is your proof they are the monsters you say and that you didn't just judge them on appearance and attack them first?" Petra said as calmly as she could.
<LadyVai> "Do they look like they could take your city?" she growls. "Leave now or he will take you all on," she points to Matuzack
<DemonessJade> So she finally schlepped her rump up the hill and joined the others. "What's the deal?" She asked Mat. "Ut oh.... "
<Makhpia> Mak approaches with Jade, although she put up the cowl of her cloak on instinct from their time in Merthia.
<@AndyGM> The dozen men on horseback look back and forth. They see The Orcs, Matuzack, then the rest of the group. Seeing themselves out numbered they turn and ride away one yelling back. "Dirty Orc Lovers! You'll get yours!!"
<LadyVai> "Makphia, they are all yours," she says
<Matuzack> "Yeah, dirty orc lover." He said, looking up to Vai.
<DemonessJade> "I’m guessing I don't want to know."
<Petra2> "Thought so, only cowards would have run away." Petra said disgusted how anyone could act in this manner.
<Makhpia> "This is not a good sign." mutters Mak as she lowers her hood and turns to the orcs.
<LadyVai> "I have never had an orc..." she mutters
<@AndyGM> Seeing another Orc the Orcs slowly lower their weapons and relax somewhat. One, an aging man bent from years of hard labor, or from having to carry around his enormous thickly braided beard, spoke. "Who are you girl?!? What's your clan?" He spoke in Orcish.
<Dugall> "Should we have killed the bastards before they got away?"
<Dugall> Dugall asks disinterestedly
<Matuzack> "Probably."
<Makhpia> "I am Makhpia from the Sha-Mathe clan." Mak replies as respectfully as she could in Orcish.
<LadyVai> "I do not wish to kill anyone," she says and sighs
<Dugall> "Fair enough, we've got enough enemies already."
<LadyVai> She goes and checks on the humans and orcs. Are they dead or wounded?
<@AndyGM> "Makhpia? The Little Shaman who went missing? I am Herk Steadyhand of the Cracked Tusk!" The old man lowered his weapon, a rusted mining pick.
<@AndyGM> There were six dead Orcs, mostly workers by the look of them, four dead dire wolves, and three dead humans. The remaining Orcs were scratched up and bruised. The humans had been playing with them.
<LadyVai> She gives them all the blessing of the last rites of Taija, laying them all out, humans and orcs.
<@AndyGM> The Orcs watch the others suspiciously.
<DemonessJade> "I'm bored."
<Petra2> "Mak, could you ask them if I could tend to their wounded?" Petra asked, unsure if they would accept her help.
<LadyVai> She says Hello in orcish and goes about seeing them all
<Matuzack> Matuzack eyed the orcs. "They don’t look like raiders and thieves. They can barely hold weapons. Ask them for their story, Mak."
<DemonessJade> Her boredom had nothing to do with ... and suddenly that stagnant feeling faded and Jade shivered as a chill ran up her spine. "Ooo not good."
<Makhpia> "I, yes have been gone for some time. I am honored to meet have met you." Makhpia says in orcish before continuing "What exactly has happened recently if it's not too much trouble to tell?"
<DemonessJade> "Not good, not good at all." She commented and shifted back to high alert. "I have a terrible feeling about this."
<Dugall> Dugall looked around in response to Jade, "What's wrong?" he asked her quietly.
[21:48] <DemonessJade> "I'm not sure."
<LadyVai> She sits up. "I am sorry. What are the burial rituals of your kind?" she mentions in orcish to an orc who is watching her.
<@AndyGM> "The humans in the city of the steel beast, they went mad! They declared all the game on the plains theirs, and began hunting down Orcs they said were poaching. They nearly wiped out the Cracked Tusk and Night Wolf Clans, The Sha-Mathe, Soul Renders; they let us travel with them. We were heading for their camp when these humans found us." Herk Continued in Orcish.
<@AndyGM> One of the surviving Orcs, no older than six stared in shock at Vai. He looked to an older woman who wrapped an arm around the little boy. "Let us take their bodies back to camp." She responded in Orcish.
<LadyVai> "Err, three for the humans."
<Makhpia> Mak looks to the ground, her stomach sinking. "I was afraid something like that would be your answer, but two whole tribes?" Mak turns to Matuzack "They claim that they were the remnants of an orc tribe recently destroyed, going to join up with... my clan" she says in common.
<Matuzack> "Hrm. What are we waiting for them?"
<Dugall> "Let's decide on something. Whatever we need to do to help.
<DemonessJade> "And we should do it quickly." She tried to hurry them along. She still wasn't feeling alright.
<Petra2> Petra formed 3 human-sized graves 10 ft. deep each. "There, even an enemy deserves a proper burial."
<LadyVai> "That’s my girl."
<Petra2> "Uhm, they ran off a few minutes ago at least. Shouldn't we get out of here, in case they come back with reinforcements?" Petra said, feeling Jade's anxiousness as well.
<Makhpia> "Probably. We should get moving." Mak says.
<Matuzack> Matuzack nodded, taking two of the bodies as gently and respectfully as possible. "Let's go."
<@AndyGM> The Orcs stared as Matuzack lifted their dead. They got the hint and took out a leather harness, putting two more bodies in it and fixing it to their remaining wolf.
<Dugall> Dugall carried a couple of the others with his tendrils, trying to show the same reverence but displaying his lack of understanding of the ritual with a scratch of his head.
<Petra2> "Uhm, Anistrynia. Can I fill the graves back in yet so we can get out of here?"
<LadyVai> "Of course."
<@AndyGM> Herk looked to Makhpia. "The Soul Renders are camped South of here. We should make it there before nightfall. Toji will want to speak with you and your humans."
<Petra2> With a wave of her hand, the graves fill back in. "Okay, let's move out." Petra said as she walked over beside Jade.
<DemonessJade> "Yeah let’s get out of here."
<Makhpia> "I suspect Teacher will. We will follow you since you know the way." Mak says in orcish to Herk.
<@AndyGM> Herk patted his Wolf and it began trudging South. The six Orcs followed the Wolf. It didn't take long to see where they were going; the plains allowed one to see for a long distance and in that distance dozens of heavy green and brown canvas tents were pitched around a large fire.
<Makhpia> Mak follows the orcs. Seeing her old home was bittersweet in a way, and terrifying in another way.
<@AndyGM> Within an hour Herk had lead the group into the camp. What had been a lively place quieted to a deathly stillness at the sight of humans. No one made any movements, but eyes followed them even as they strolled to the fire in the center of the camp. Herk pointed to the bodies that Mat and Dugall held, and pointed at the ground. He then made a motion, pointing at the whole group and pointing to the large tent in front of the fire.
<Matuzack> Matuzack gently laid the bodies on the ground, nodded once, and walked into the tent.
<Dugall> Dugall followed suit.
<LadyVai> She enters smiling.
<Makhpia> Makhpia walks up to the tent, takes a deep breath, and then enters the tent.
<Petra2> The motion lost mostly on Petra, she simply followed the others into the tent.
<DemonessJade> Jade would quietly meander in as well.
<LadyVai> "Are we to follow," she says in orcish
<@AndyGM> "Yes" Herk said to Vai
<LadyVai> She
<@AndyGM> Inside the tent an old Orc sat on a small pile of animal skins. He had long stringy white hair; He had white stubble and glassy blue eyes. He looked ancient. When Mak entered the tent he turned his head to see who it was. In a moment the old Orc went from silent and craggy, before leaping to his feet, rushing to Mak, lifting her into the air... and tossing her a good foot into the air before catching her in a bear hug. "LITTLE ONE!!" He roared happily.
<Makhpia> Makhpia hugs him back "Teacher!! I've missed you so much!" she says happily in orcish.
<@AndyGM> Seeing Vai enter he gets quiet. He shifts, carrying Mak over one shoulder and examining Vai. He then looks back to Makhpia. "How many times do I have to tell you, no bringing pets back to camp?" He said in Orcish.
<LadyVai> She looks surprised at hearing this. "If I am not wanted here I will wait outside," she replied back in orcish
<@AndyGM> He blinked as she spoke Orcish. "Oh she speaks Orcish... and wasn't blessed by her ancestors with a sense of humor." He laughed loudly and walked over extending a hand to Vai. "Tojiro Wolfsong, but most folk call me Toji! Nice to meet you miss." He said in perfect common.
<DemonessJade> Jade laughed. She couldn't help herself. Never in her wildest dreams would she imagine Vai as a pet. Then again, Jade had a whole different idea of what a 'pet' was.
<LadyVai> "A pleasure to meet you," she says taking his hand. She repeats in common and introduces the rest of them
<@AndyGM> "Sorry for the joke, ever since I met the little one every time she left camp something would follow her back, the odd wolf pup, or falcon. She was gone for a while, so five humans seem about right." He laughed, finally putting Makhpia down on the ground.
<LadyVai> "She has had the habit of picking up strays."
<Petra2> "I think of Makhpia more as family than being a stray that followed her. We have all been through a lot together."
<@AndyGM> "Sit! Relax; you've brought my favorite pupil back to me. I must show my thanks! We'll eat and drink while the little one explains where she ran to and what brought her back." He smiled brightly. He poked his head out of the tent and yelled in Orcish. Minutes later large pots of stew were brought into the tent.
<Matuzack> Matuzack instantly muscled his way to one of the pots and began ladling out a bowl for himself. Through mouthfuls of stew he managed a "thanks"
<Petra2> "Thank you for your hospitality." Petra said as she took a bowl of stew and began to dig in.
<DemonessJade> Jade eyed Mat as he ate and then offered him a cloth napkin or someone's sleeve she wasn't sure.
<Matuzack> Matuzack waved her off and continued to eat.
<@AndyGM> Toji sat down, helped himself to some stew and waited.
<Makhpia> Mak laughs a bit at Matuzack's food filled thanks and takes a bite of the food before explaining. "The night that I... disappeared, I had this vision in my dream, with these prophecies, and omens of death and devastation. But I was afraid that no one would believe me." She looks down at the ground "So I snuck away to try and stop it.”
<DemonessJade> "Suit yourself." She commented and took some stew for herself.
<@AndyGM> Toji sighed hearing this. "With your gifts? You left before you took your rite of adulthood?" He shook his head. "You’re lucky some foul spirit isn't wearing you like a suit of old armor."
<Makhpia> "I know it was stupid. That almost happened a little while back." Mak starts to cry a little bit remembering The Passenger.
<Matuzack> Matuzack pointed the wooden spoon at Toji. "What does she need to do for that? The adulthood thing."
<@AndyGM> "All Orcs must take the rite, find their totem, and become a full member of the clan. In the case of shaman it's even more important; their totem gives them focus, strength. For a youngster like Makhpia to go without it... her wounded spirit... it makes her easy prey for dark spirits."
<Matuzack> Matuzack pointed the spoon at Mak. "You need to do that." Then he went back to his bowl of stew.
<@AndyGM> "She's too old to do it alone now... and I can't leave the clan with the humans on the warpath."
<Makhpia> Makhpia wipes away the tears "They could come with me" nodding towards the group.
<Matuzack> "Hrm." Mat said through a mouthful of stew. "If only she had people to go with her. Like a group of random folk. A bad ass group, at that."
<LadyVai> "Why are they? Pardon me Makphia but they seem to be rather dangerous."
<@AndyGM> "A month ago some traveling priest showed up, working miracles. The locals were healed of all their diseases, their wounds. Then the Priest started talking, saying that their goddess had given the plains to humans, the grass, the game, the water all of it. Then the stupid humans go and force their elders to make it law. There'll be war before winter, I'm sure of it. And the Steel Beast city has the most powerful army in the reaches."
<Dugall> "So I guess this priest needs some... talking to?"
<LadyVai> "You wouldn't know the name of this priest, would you?"
<@AndyGM> "The Priest, the human Elders. Whatever, they won't let me near the city though." He paused. "They said the Priest's name was Garret."
<Matuzack> "Sounds simple. Go in; slit this Garret's throat while he sleeps. Peace for everyone." He says, never looking up from his stew.
<LadyVai> She sits there and thinks. "foolish," she mutters
<Petra2> "So some priest performs miracles and they take what he says as the truth. Great, another bunch of brainwashed idiots following someone who is probably power mad."
<@AndyGM> "If it was that simple I would have done it myself ages ago." Toji smirks.
<DemonessJade> "I have to agree." she nodded toward Mat as she finished her stew.
<Dugall> "Were the humans blighted before the priest performed these miracles?"
<@AndyGM> "I may be old, but I can still swing a hammer."
<Matuzack> Matuzack smiles. "I like you, old man."
<Petra2> "That won't work though; it would make the guy a martyr. Need to discredit the priest to get anything done, probably."
<LadyVai> "Well Makphia... what do you have to do to complete your Rite?"
<@AndyGM> "Aye, they were mining the stuff they call...” He paused thinking of the word. "Golem Scrap. Many miners grew ill, no plague I ever saw."
<DemonessJade> 'eat his soul' she thought quietly to herself
<@AndyGM> "To complete the Rite she must go to the great burial mound, with nothing but the clothes on her back. If she survives the night she's passed."
<Makhpia> Mak sits quietly listening. Around Toji she feels like a little kid.
<Petra2> "Golem, isn't that an animated statue brought to life by magic? Scrap from that could have tainted magic clinging to it."
<Matuzack> Matuzack mumbled something about her doing it without clothes.
<@AndyGM> "The city is built around the biggest golem anyone ever saw... they say if there's war it'll come to life and defend the city."
<Dugall> "How long have they been mining this stuff? Is it only recently some miners got sick?"
<Makhpia> "The burial mound is a haven for spirits at night." explains Mak to the Vai.
<@AndyGM> "They been mining the stuff for as long as the city has stood. They only got sick six or so weeks ago."
<Petra2> "Great, as if there isn't enough trouble in the world. An old and probably faulty giant golem which could come back to life without warning. And an illness suddenly springing up, something isn't right. Jade was right earlier."
<LadyVai> "Well, the first thing is first. We get Makphia to complete her Rite."
<@AndyGM> Toji ate his stew. "If it comes to it we could just move on, but this has been Soul Render land for as long as anyone can remember. We've traveled these plains. I'd rather not change our path if I could help it."
<Matuzack> He nodded. "Mak, when do you want to do this?"
<@AndyGM> "Well if the little one wants to represent the clan with the humans she must pass the rite first anyhow."
<Petra3> "Hhm, before we go, could I set up some stone walls around your camp? Just in case there is a raid while we are off with Mak on her rite."
<@AndyGM> "We're nomads little girl, we'll move on in a day. No need for walls. By the time the humans know where we are, we'll be elsewhere."
<Petra3> "Oh, okay. Just hope they don't have anyone like us on their side." Petra said with a feeling of unease.
<Makhpia> "The sooner we do it the better." Mak says solemnly between mouthfuls of stew.
<@AndyGM> Toji nods. "I cannot join you, but I hope your friends can defend you from creatures they cannot see."
<Matuzack> "Wait... Can't see?" Mat said, surprise in his voice

[MDSnowman]

Interlude #31

The Ecology of the Eastern Plains Cat
By
Imperial Scholar Salvatore Barone (dated 400 years ago)


My continuing journeys around Darkon have brought me to the Eastern frontier of the Empire. This land, teeming with hordes of Orcs, and outcasts is far from the most inviting realm on Darkon it is, however, home to the single largest uninterrupted grassland plain on the entire planet. While I’ll cover the Orcs of these plains in another entry I would like to describe the most dangerous residents of the plains, The Eastern Plains Cat.

The Eastern Plains cat appears distantly related to the Mountain Lions of Northern Darkon in so much as they are powerfully built great cats. The similarities end there however. While your average mountain lion is a sleek creature built for agility the plains cat is built for power, often looking more like a bear when resting than a cat.

The average plains cat can grow to be up to eight feet long, and have short, blunted, tails, prominent upper canines, and unusually muscular upper bodies. Plain cats are easily the most powerful great cats on Darkon with only dire breeds being stronger. The Plains Cat’s powerful upper body also serves a very practical purpose, using the upper body for locomotion they can reach dizzying land speeds, close to a hundred miles an hour, for short bursts.

As a result the plains cat is the ultimate ambush predator, lying in wait for game to come close, and then rushing from the brush dragging their prey to the ground and ripping its throat out in one motion.

Among collectors plains cat pelts are highly prized. They come in a wide variety of colors, most often mirroring a color of the grass somewhere on the plains. The most coveted, however, are the black pelts. These invariably belong to the biggest, fiercest, specimens. Their fur allows them to hunt at night in ease, making them the bane of any traveler who crosses their path. The Orcs claim that these black plains cats are descended from the first plains cat, a being they ascribe mystical abilities to. Needless to say I will not be investigating this demi-human hokum.

[MDSnowman]

<@AndyGM> The last time we saw our heroes they were being told that in order for Makhpia to be considered an adult, steel herself against evil spirits, and negotiate on behalf of the Orcs of the Eastern Reaches she would need to undergo the rite of adulthood. She would have to go to a sacred burial mound, supposedly crawling with evil spirits, and survive the night. Not that hard a task for the average Orc, but being able to see, speak to, and interact with spirits made it a dangerous proposition.
<Petra3> "Okay, so when do we head out? And just how dangerous can these spirits be?" Petra asked, curious about the threat they would face.
<Matuzack> "So. Uh. You got some kind of magic voodoo sauce you can give me to let me see these spirits?"
<Lady_Vai> "It will be interesting to see how the orcs speak with the spirits."
<@AndyGM> "Sorry son, I don't have anything like that. I can see the spirits so I never had call to make something that will let people see them. Most of the time if you don't see them, they won't bother you." Toji explained.
<Matuzack> "Well. Damn."
<Makhpia> Mak just sits there. Meditating and getting ready.
<@AndyGM> "Though..." Toji turned around and rummaged through a bag. "I might have something that'll help..." Toji began throwing various knick knacks over his shoulder absently. "Let's see... one ring... no.... “He threw a ring over his shoulder.” Ashbringer... no.." he threw an incense burner over his shoulder.
<Lady_Vai> She calmly eats her stew
<@AndyGM> "Magic bullet... no.” He grumbled. "Brain in a jar... no." He pulled out a brain in a jar and threw it over his shoulder where the jar shattered. “Ahh here it is!" Toji pulled out a strange looking pile of roots bound together.
<Matuzack> "And this is?" Matuzack said, eyeing the brain in a jar.
<@AndyGM> "I don't know, it used to talk, but I put it in a smaller Jar." He motioned to the roots. "This here is Raylon root. Grind it up, smoke it, and you'll see spirits... and a few things that probably aren't really there."
<Petra3> "But does it work on the blind?"
<Matuzack> "Sounds like a good time."
<@AndyGM> "Can't say as I know. I know last time I smoked it I still saw stuff when I closed my eyes." he laughed.
<Matuzack> He shrugged. "Let's do it then."
<@AndyGM> He pulled out a small bone pipe and put it on top of the pile of roots. "Just don't smoke it until you're at the burial mound... you'll never find it after you smoke."
<Lady_Vai> "It must be native to this land," she says. "for I have never heard of it."
<@AndyGM> "The Little one knows the way to the mound, so just follow her." Toji smiles. "And if you all make it back tomorrow I'll make breakfast!"
<Makhpia> Makhpia stands up, finished meditating. "Goodbye for now teacher."
<Lady_Vai> "Thank you for the dinner," she bows as she gets up
<@AndyGM> Toji smiles wide and waves. "You have fun now!"
<Matuzack> "I like him." Matuzack said as they left the tent.
<Makhpia> Makhpia discards her weapons and other gear before exiting the tent.
<Petra3> "We will, we always do." Petra says as she waves goodbye to Toji and heads out the tent.
<Lady_Vai> "Where are we going "Little One?"" she said with a smile
<Makhpia> "That way, to the east." Mak says, pointing "And I'm not going to be a little one for much longer." she adds with a grin.
<Matuzack> "You know, in the North we do this easier. I can make you an adult in about twenty minutes."
<Dugall> "Obviously it works for some better than others..."
<Lady_Vai> "You will always be a little one to those who care for you," she says. "I hope you are not saying what I think you are saying!"
<Petra3> Petra smacks Mat upside the head.
<Makhpia> Mak rolls her eyes. "Why I'm sure you'd love that Mat, it's about more than what you’re thinking of."
<Lady_Vai> "Twenty minutes..." she said as she walks past Matuzack. "That little of time..." she mutters
<Matuzack> He chuckles. "You all and your bad thinking. It's a ritual carving." He pulls down the neck of his shirt revealing a crisscross of scars buried under more recently acquired scars.
<Petra3> "With you, it is better to be safe than sorry with these kinds of matters. Mister pervert." Petra said as she stood near Jade.
<Lady_Vai> She pulls her sleeves down more. She don’t like scars and the ones around her wrist and neck are a constant reminder
<Makhpia> "The point of this little trip is so I can find my totem spirit. It will be able to protect the damaged spirit I have from other spirits." explains Makhpia as they continue to walk.
<Matuzack> "So, then what should we do?"
<Makhpia> "We go to the burial grounds. Stay through the night."
***
<@AndyGM> An hour later and the group stood under the full moon on the seemingly endless plains. This time the view was obstructed by a large Earthen mound perhaps sixteen feet tall, it had been there for so long that it was covered with the same short grass as the rest of the plain.
<Makhpia> "We're here." Mak says.” Many spirits here. I think it might be time for you to smoke the root."
<Matuzack> Matuzack nodded. "Jade?" he put the pipe to his lips and waited for her to light it.
<DemonessJade> Ask and you shall receive. Jade snapped her fingers and poof it was lit.
<Matuzack> Matuzack inhaled deeply, and then passed the pipe to Jade.
<DemonessJade> Just passes it along without taking a turn.
<Petra3> Petra inhales and then passes it to Dugall.
<Dugall> He takes a long inward breath of it then passes it on to Vai.
<Lady_Vai> She holds it unsure of what to do. She then takes a hit. "Who is next?" She coughs unused to the smoke. "Makphia?"
<Makhpia> "I don't need any. I can see the spirit world just fine, in fact, I can't not see it." Mak says with a sad grin.
<@AndyGM> Those who have taken puffs from the Raylon Root can see around the burial mound, thousands of ghostly spirits, dressed in leather armor, with leather helmets obscuring their faces, armed with spears all milling around the mound.
<Matuzack> Matuzack blinked. "Okay. Anyone else see all the leather armored soldiers?"
<Petra3> "Yes, I do. Sucks this is the first thing I can see in detail in a long time."
<Makhpia> "They've been there since we got here." Mak says with a shrug.
<Dugall> "I can see. So what animal are we looking for?"
<Makhpia> "Not sure. I'll know it when we find it." Mak replies.
<Lady_Vai> She just stands there, eyes darting
<Makhpia> "Well, should we head in?" Mak says cheerfully.
<DemonessJade> Likes being oblivious.
<Matuzack> "Sure." Mat said, looking around in amazement.
<Petra3> "Jade, why didn't you take a puff of the pipe? Without your help in a fight, we could be in trouble." Petra said as she stood ready to head in.
<DemonessJade> "Someone has to stay sober. You can tell me where to aim."
<Petra3> "Well then. Let's get moving!"
<Makhpia> Mak starts walking forward carefully towards the burial mound.
<@AndyGM> Whispers begin filling the Night air as the ghosts start looking in the group's direction. They begin circling them like predators... if they had chops it wouldn't be hard to imagine them licking them. As they inched closer one could see their skin was decaying in places, and they all suffered from various vicious wounds.
<DemonessJade> She gave a puzzled look and then bats her hand in the air. "Shush. As long as they are of you, I don't mind." Yep she was apparently talking to herself.
<Matuzack> "Like this all the time? Huh Mak?" Mat said, gripping his harpoon tightly, but otherwise trying to show no fear.
<Petra3> Petra formed her armor, trying to infuse it with the energy of the earth to shield her from the spirits as well, if that would help.
<Makhpia> "Well, I suppose it would be too easy if they just let us through" sighed Mak.
<Petra3> "You spirits better let us through or I'm going to bop you one!" Petra, acting a little out of sorts thanks to the root's effect.
<@AndyGM> Before long they had completely encircled the group... with the exception of Jade who they happened to ignore entirely, in some cases walking right through her. They began raising hands and reaching towards the group.
<Petra3> "Keep your slimy, undead hands away from me!"
<Matuzack> Matuzack swatted at the nearest one with the edge of his harpoon.
<@AndyGM> The harpoon went right through the ghost, hitting air.
<DemonessJade> "Yes, we need to do that again soon. Very soon." Jade responded to no one as she raised a brow watching the others. "Ya look silly, all ya all."
<Lady_Vai> Her eyes go wide. "father?" she says as she starts taking steps toward her
<Matuzack> Matuzack blinked several times, in rapid succession. "Is that dragon real?" he asked out loud.
<@AndyGM> Vai passed through the ghosts and they ignored her.
<Dugall> "Huh, so what's this, a mirror of the past?"
<Makhpia> Mak groans. Jade is acting strangely without the drugs and most of the group seems to be experiencing hallucinations. "This could be going better." she groans.
<Petra3> "Great, they've all gone loopy. Jade, just aim and attack where I do. That way we can take care of these pests faster."
<@AndyGM> The ghosts seemed to focus on Mak and Petra.
<DemonessJade> "I don't think fire is going to work on ghosts and I'm not hallucinating, I'm talking to the voice in my head."
<Dugall> "Well, being locked away for over 300 hundred years does sort of give you the messy look. So what's going on here?""
<Petra3> "So, what now? Do we have a means to affect these spirits?"
<Matuzack> Matuzack pets the air in front of him. "That's a nice boy."
<DemonessJade> "If you believe spirits are souls then I've got one."
<Lady_Vai> "You are dead... aren't you?" she whispers
<Dugall> "Huh, I didn't think this stuff could reveal memories I didn't have."
<DemonessJade> For the hell of it, she puts her head under Mat's hand. "Girl ... Nice girl."
<Makhpia> Mak breathes in heavily "I'm not sure."
<Lady_Vai> "That is what they have told me... you are not?"
<@AndyGM> The ghosts begin inching closer and closer to Mak and Petra.
<Petra3> "Oh, let's just get this started already. Unless waiting will let the other snap out of it and help us."
<Matuzack> "Ooh. Nice." Mat says, reaching out and grabbing Jade’s chest.
<Dugall> "So something big time must have buried this deep. And I just got a shovel to unearth it, huh? So is this my spirit walk? What about Mak"
<Makhpia> "I agree. I'd rather not let them touch us."
<DemonessJade> "Hey now ... there's a charge for that."
<Lady_Vai> She stops and shuts her eyes tightly. "H-Hallucination..." she mutters and breaths deeply...
<Dugall> "The old days? Like in my precious live?"
<@AndyGM> "STOP THIS!!" A voice rings out, for everyone to hear despite their hallucinations, or having taken the root or not. The Ghosts sink into the ground at the command.
<Petra3> "Ouch, who just yelled and why did the spirits respond to him/her/it?"
<DemonessJade> "Because I’m a goddess." She teased.
<Makhpia> "I think for the second time, I have no idea." Mak shrugs.
<Lady_Vai> She nocks an arrow looking for the source of the voice
<Dugall> "Well, thanks and it's been good talking with you, if only briefly. I better go and help Mak soon. Was there anything else you needed to tell me?"
<@AndyGM> A ghostly, but entirely visible, form rose from the top of the burial mound. It was wide and powerfully built. Dressed in ornate leather armor, and equally elaborate mask. Its body was covered in glowing blue tattoos. Suddenly everyone's hallucinations end... and Mat finds himself with a hand gripping Jade's chest and everyone else can see the glowing figure.
<Makhpia> "Who are you?" Mak asks the figure.
<Matuzack> "Well... This is even better." Mat says, not yet removing his hand.
<Petra3> "Okay that is interesting." Petra said as she gazed upon the figure.
<@AndyGM> "I have forgotten my name... the ancient orcs called me the Progenitor." It spoke, a cold hard voice.
<Makhpia> "The Progenitor?" Mak says and turns to the others "I have never heard of anything like this."
<@AndyGM> "I once ruled this Savannah long ago, before Orcs or Humans... the spirits you saw are my hounds of War.”
<Dugall> "So you were probably even before the Red Knight's time, huh?'
<Makhpia> "Oh."
<Lady_Vai> "Before your time..." she mutters
<@AndyGM> "I know not of this Red Knight. I only know that on my Death Bed I was promised the chance to ride one last time when the stars were right and the Four Became Five. The time draws close, and my hounds grow impatient."
<Matuzack> "What the hell is she sputtering on about?"
<Makhpia> "Hmm, it definitely refers to the prophecy." Mak tells the group "The four shall become five in the womb of death and the final age will begin at long last."
<@AndyGM> "There are four Harbingers, the Angels of Death that will end all things. When there are five their work will begin at last. I have waited for three thousand years... now why have you disturbed me, Outcasts of Fate?"
<Makhpia> "We came here for my Rite of Adulthood and to find my totem spirit."
<@AndyGM> The Progenitor lifts his head and took a deep breath, how he did it without lungs is anyone's guess. "Your spirit... strong, but rent, it woke me early."
<Makhpia> "I see. I apologize that I disturbed you."
<@AndyGM> "I could take your flesh, make it mine, ride the Savannah once again as a mortal." His cold voice quickly grew hot with excitement. He raised a hand towards Makhpia only to reach out with the other and pull it down. "No... such is not my destiny. Still... your emptiness is too enticing. I must give you a totem lest I lose control of myself."
<DemonessJade> Jade finally got with the program and gently removes Matt's hand. Chalk it up to it having been a long time.
<Makhpia> "How do you intend to do that?" Mak asks.
<@AndyGM> "Your spirit is like the water hole... all the animals, great and small crowd around it sipping from it. Most move on when their thirst is sated, but some spirits see you as you are, a nearly endless supply of water. They seek to control the water make it theirs. I have bested and control many great spirits. If you form a partnership with one you will have its protection the other animals will know to avoid the water hole, the spirit will have the water it needs and will lend you its strength in exchange."
<Matuzack> After a few moments of staring at the spirit, Mat moves his hand back to Jade's chest without thinking.
<DemonessJade> Takes his hand and simply holds it. "Sounds pretty." she whispered.
<Makhpia> "That makes sense. Alright, this is different, but let’s do it your way." Mak tells the Progenitor.
<@AndyGM> The Progenitor lifts a hand and seven shadowy spirits, each an enormous animal appear behind him. They seemly slightly indistinct, until one steps forward and enormous black feline. It made Matuzack seem small. It had an enormously muscled upper body, long fangs, and a short bobbed tail. It crept down the mound towards Makhpia. "It seems Vira likes you. She will form the partnership."
<Makhpia> "Okay... So how do we go about this?" asks Makhpia a bit nervously.
<@AndyGM> As The Great Plains Cat, Vira, came closer to Makhpia the Mask that The Progenitor was wearing, which had been the head of a great plains cat, vanished. It revealed a face with human features, but a distinctly Orcish lower jaw. In that instant Vira leapt on Makhpia and entered her, merging with her. The Progenitor nodded. "It is done."
<Makhpia> Makhpia stands still for a moment, blinking. "Wow that just feels... wow."
<@AndyGM> "A word of warning Ghost Cat... I slew Vira and claimed her pelt before the Ancients rose the barrier mountains to the East. When I ride again I will come for you, and what is mine." With that the Progenitor sank into the ground vanishing once again.
<Dugall> "Mak... he'll come for you?"
<DemonessJade> "I bet he will."
<Makhpia> "I suppose so. Nothing that can be done about it here and now." Mak says, looking at the burial ground.
<Petra3> "He comes for you; I don't care how powerful he is. I fight by your side." Petra said with a smile.
<@AndyGM> The Mound and the surrounding area was clear of spirits.
<Matuzack> "Ah hell, we've got a fallen god or whatever Dugall is. I'm sure we can send him packing."
<Lady_Vai> "I didn’t like it..." she mutters again
<DemonessJade> "Mmm I'll take care of him."
<Dugall> "We're in this with you, Mak."

[MDSnowman]

Matuzack and Jade's players were both unable to play this week. Rather than cancel the game I decided to push on (I'm operating on a self imposed time limit for the remainder of this game). So tonight I'll be playing their roles.

<@AndyGM> The night before the group had accompanied Makhpia on her rite of adulthood. After ghosts, hallucinations, and a conversation with some manner of proto-Orc chieftain spirit Mak passed her test and controlled a great animal spirit, that of Vira, the Great Plains cat. So it was at Dawn that the group returned to the Orc camp. There were cheers as the Orcs saw the group approaching in the distance.
<Petra3> "Went smoother than I thought it would. Was sure we would have to fight a bunch of spirits to protect Mak." Petra said as she went over to the nearest spot that looked comfortable and sat down.
<@AndyGM> "Really? Because I saw a fat friendly Dragon that wanted to make friends." Matuzack said off hand.
<Lady_Vai> Vai was still troubled by the hallucinations but leaves Makhpia to walk ahead and get the accolades.
<@AndyGM> Waiting at the edge of the Camp was Master Tojiro. He smiled brightly and clapped Makhpia on the back. "How did it go?!?"
<Makhpia> Makhpia walks into the village, beaming. "It was very strange. When we got to the mound there was this really, really old spirit. He called himself the Progenitor. Have you ever heard of anything like that?"
<@AndyGM> The old Orc nearly went pale. "I've heard stories, they say he was the first War Chief, he controlled all of the first clans on the plains and into the Golden Sands. Great things must be afoot to awaken such an old spirit."
<Makhpia> "It had to do with the reason I left, those prophecies. He said when the four harbingers of death become five he would ride the plains again."
<@AndyGM> Toji frowned and stroked his chin slowly. "This Progenitor, was he a friendly spirit?"
<Lady_Vai> "That is not all he said Makhpia."
<@AndyGM> Toji looked to Vai.
<Lady_Vai> "Something about calling to Makhpia when the time was right."
<Makhpia> Makhpia frowns. "No, not particularly. He helped me find a totem spirit, but he told me that if he rode again, he would come hunting for me."
<Lady_Vai> She waved to Makhpia
<@AndyGM> "Okay, so unfriendly..." He sighed. "This does not bode well; a spirit that ancient could rend the plains apart if he rode free." He looked to Makhpia. "We must deal with the trouble in front of us. Settle this business with the humans and then we can worry about this hostile spirit. Tell me Makhpia... what totem did this Progenitor give you?" Toji asked, using Mak's given name for perhaps for the first time.
<Makhpia> "An ancient plains cat. Her name is Vira."
<@AndyGM> His jaw dropped. "Vira?!? By the ancestors... you never do anything halfway. Now that you have passed your rite you have earned a name. Makhpia Sha, from this day forward you will be Makhpia Vira, Great Cat of the Reaches." Toji bowed his head in respect.
<Lady_Vai> Vai smiles at this
<@AndyGM> "I suggest we celebrate by getting drunk and naked." Matuzack chimed in, only to get Elbowed in the stomach by Jade.
<Makhpia> "Thank you teacher. I never could have done any of this without your wisdom and lessons." Makhpia bows her head back.
<@AndyGM> Toji smiled brightly. "Though I may not call you 'Little One' any longer, you will always be such in my heart. I am honored to have been your teacher Makhpia Vira."
<Petra3> "Okay, now can we have a party to celebrate? I want to relax some more before we have to head off into trouble once more." Petra said with a wide grin.
<Makhpia> "Thank you." Makhpia says back, and then hugs Toji briefly.
<@AndyGM> "You heard the blind girl, naked party." Matuzack chimed in once again.
<Petra3> "Hey! I said party, not naked party." Petra says as she goes and kicks him in the shin.
<@AndyGM> "Fine, let us celebrate the birth of a great new Shaman. Tomorrow we plan." Toji smiled. The other Orcs cheer and that evening the camp turns into a wild celebration.
<Lady_Vai> She sighs and tries to catch Toji. "Do you have a moment?"
<@AndyGM> Toji nods. "Yes Miss." The Old Orc walks to her side, looking very dignified except for the half eaten piece of chicken in his hand.
<Petra3> Petra simply enjoys the food and drink as she relaxes and listens to the celebrating going on.
<@AndyGM> Matuzack is taking place in three different drinking contests at once, and winning. Jade simply watches everyone from the background silently.
<Lady_Vai> "That root you said we should consume... the hallucinations, are they... are they real?"
<Lady_Vai> "I know it seems strange... but I had my real father come to me... at least I think it was my father."
<@AndyGM> "Raylon Root? Oh no, it isn't real. What you see is what's in your soul, those things that are a part of you. I sometimes smoke the root in order to cut through the layers of reason in my mind and see what's really on my mind." Toji explained. "If you saw your father, then it is because on a spiritual level you know he's out there somewhere."
<Dugall> Dugall seems stares vacantly as he tries grasps the shadows around him off and on.
<Lady_Vai> She sits there and thinks. "Spiritually... as if he was dead or alive?"
<Dugall> "Won't form the armor. The blade."
<@AndyGM> "Alive and dead are simply words miss. Two different states of the same energy, the soul. Now if what you saw told you that he was alive, I would believe it." Toji explained.
<Lady_Vai> "I do not even know how he is dead," she sighs. "Thank you. You have given me much to think about."
<@AndyGM> "Glad I could be of assistance." Toji lowered his head, and took a huge bite of his chicken and walked away chewing.
<Dugall> Dugall concentrates a bit, drawing out his shadow until it finally coalescing it into a lance. It exists for only a few moments.
<Lady_Vai> She goes to sit someplace and sits there. She begins to float some two feet off the ground and goes into a trance. She tries to reach her father, alive or dead.
<Dugall> Dugall moves over to the elder orc, and asks somewhat directly but absent mindely a daze, "The four? Who are they? And how would they become five?"
<@AndyGM> "Can't say as I know son." He shrugs. "I didn't know about them before today."
<Dugall> "All right. And is it possible to see into the future with these visions?"
<Dugall> "Like, see yourself in the future?"
<@AndyGM> "The Raylon Root? I'll tell you what I told the woman, you see into your own soul at the truth inside yourself." The Old Orc sat and picked a piece of chicken from between his teeth.
<@AndyGM> "What did you see?"
<Dugall> "Saw... a different version of myself. From long ago, though he-I said something cryptic that made me think it might also be my future."
<@AndyGM> "Perhaps, if you saw him after smoking the root what you saw is the real you, on a very basic level. If you strip away the walls you build around yourself, the self-denial, the arrogance, the lies you tell yourself what you saw was the real you." He nibbled his chicken.
<Dugall> He nods, "Have you insight on how to do that?"
<@AndyGM> "I've been at it for sixty five years and I have yet to attain such enlightenment." Toji frowned a bit and shrugged.
<Dugall> He nods, "Thanks. May you have... more luck in your journey as well."
<@AndyGM> "You as well old soul." Toji said returning to devouring his chicken.
***
<@AndyGM> The next morning the group was in Toji's tent, an animal skin map of the area lay on the ground. It showed the camp, circled in charcoal, and it's relation to a nearby city to the North West. "This is the City of the Steel Giant, or Sleeping Beast as the humans call it." Toji pointed to the city. "The source of my people's current problems."
<@AndyGM> "Well we could go kill the priest making everyone anti-orc and anyone gets in the way, and if that fails ol' Dugall could go Plan B on their city." Matuzack said nodding toward Dugall.
<Lady_Vai> "It seems we will have to go there."
<Petra3> "We can't just go in and kill everyone in our way. Would make them martyrs, especially the priest if he is killed. Have to figure out something else."
<@AndyGM> "As much as I'd like to burn the place to the ground I think Petra has a point darlin'" Jade said with a soft frown.
<Dugall> "Purple.... what? Oh, priest might have done something to poison the ore."
<Lady_Vai> "We must go there before they do something foolish."
<Petra3> "What, poisoned ore? Well, if we can prove this and link it to the priest, his followers will probably turn on him."
<@AndyGM> "It won't be easy to sneak Makhpia into the city." Toji offers.
<Lady_Vai> She smiles. "I might be able to do something about that."
<@AndyGM> "Oh?" Jade asks.
<Makhpia> "That is true. I do stand out a bit among humans." Mak agrees.
<Lady_Vai> She whispers a prayer and uses an illusion to make Makhpia a human girl. "How about that?"
<@AndyGM> Toji and Matuzack both stare in shock, and lean in poking Mak in unison.
<Lady_Vai> "She will have to stay near me, but pretty good if I do say so myself."
<Dugall> Dugall blinks.
<@AndyGM> "Well I'm convinced." Toji nods. "I might have a bit of help as well. There are some humans in the city that will not attack you on sight."
<Makhpia> "This is weird." Mak keeps looking at her very human looking hands.
<Lady_Vai> She lets the spell loose and she goes back to her orcy self
<@AndyGM> "There are a local group of refugees who will grant you shelter while you're in the city. Look for the Church of the Eternal Smith in the slums. They will give you a place to stay when The Young Lady's magic cannot hide you."
<Makhpia> "I'll remember that. Thank you for all your help teacher."
<Dugall> "What's the faith of the oppressor?"
<@AndyGM> "As far as I know this Priest who works against the Orcs claims Taija as his Mistress." Toji said.
<Lady_Vai> She sighs. Yet another who perverts Taija's will.
<Makhpia> "Not all together uncommon out here. Sorry Vai."
<@AndyGM> Jade stands up. "If we start walking we can get there by nightfall, better for being sneaky."
<Dugall> "Should we go in the shadows, or hide in plain sight?"
<Petra3> "Aww and I wanted to enter the city, crashing about like a wild boar and drawing attention to ourselves." Petra says as she faces Mat.
<Lady_Vai> "You do not have to apologize to me. But I should apologize to you for this."
<@AndyGM> "I do not know the lady's magic, but I imagine it'd be easier to investigate with subtlety." Toji says.
<Lady_Vai> "I could scry."
<@AndyGM> "Makhpia, if it should come to it I give you the authority to negotiate with the humans on our behalf." Toji turns to his student.
<Makhpia> "It's not your fault Vai." Mak put her hand on Vai's shoulder.
<@AndyGM> "Come on, let's get a move on. We'll come up with a better plan once we get inside the city." Jade said.
<Petra3> "As long as I don't have to sleep in the mud again." Petra said as she stands up and moves over by Jade, ready to head out.
<Makhpia> "It sounds pretty good to me." Mak says.
***
<@AndyGM> The group departed the Orc camp and headed North towards the City State of the Sleeping Giant. By nightfall they had reached the gates to the slums, a group of six guards stood watch over the gate, questioning anyone who went through the gates. Jade looked back at the others. "Okay everyone remember, we are not witches, heretics, Orcs, or killers." She smiled sweetly.
<Lady_Vai> She covers up her white hair and then makes sure Makhpia is covered by the illusion. "How do you like?"
<Makhpia> "Yah, I got it." Mak mutters. She had discarded her armor back at the camp, wearing light clothing and her dire wolf cloak. She was still gloomy over having to put her boots back on for the city. "It looks very convincing. Still weird, I'm so... pink." she said with a laugh.
<Petra3> Petra simply holds Jade's hand, acting as if she is being guided by Jade.
<@AndyGM> Jade grins and snaps her fingers on her free hand, suddenly her hair is up and she's wearing an elaborate dress, like that of a noblewoman only slinkier. Matuzack is to busy staring to respond.
<Lady_Vai> She pats her. She sighs and puts on her tired traveler look
<Lady_Vai> "Do we want to make ourselves known like that?"
<@AndyGM> "I've got a plan dear." Jade leads the group to the gate, where they are quickly stopped by the Guards. "Halt, what is your business here?"
<@AndyGM> Jade frowns. "Young man, I am Lady Jade Ir'Westgate, of Beleme" She spoke with a thick Beleme accent. "I have traveled thousands of miles with my entourage to tour the artifacts of the ancients in your city. Our wagons broke down, our horses died, and I was forced to walk here. Now that I have crossed this Goddess forsaken plain are you going to prevent me from coming inside and taking a bath?!?"
<Lady_Vai> She stands behind Jade like an attendant
<Makhpia> Mak stays silent and maintains a straight face, but inwardly is grinning.
<@AndyGM> The Guards look back and forth, fear in their eyes. "I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't know... please come right inside." The Guards stood aside.
<@AndyGM> Jade walked in holding Petra's hand. "And if you say a word to anyone about how I entered this city I'll have a word with your superiors and you'll be working the mine before sunup." She turned up her nose and strolled into the city like she owned the place.
<Lady_Vai> She nods her head and whispers her thanks
<Makhpia> Makhpia follows Jade into the city silently.
<Dugall> Dugall does likewise.
<@AndyGM> Matuzack walked in behind the others, he took one step toward the nearest guard, causing him to flinch visibly. Mat just grinned and walked inside.
<@AndyGM> Once they were safely inside the city and away from the guards Jade turned and smirked softly. "See Vai Darling, that was way more fun, and they won't tell anyone about the suspicious folks they let into the city."
<Lady_Vai> "Says you. I am sure they will have told the priest in charge."
<Petra3> "Hehe, I wouldn't be surprised if the guards have nightmares about being placed as Jade's personal guards while the noble woman visits here." Petra said with a giggle.
<@AndyGM> "Not a bad observation." A cultured voice said from a nearby shadow. The voice seemed to make all the color drain from Jade's face as her self satisfied smile turned into a frown.
<@AndyGM> "no..."Jade whispered.
<Makhpia> "Uhh, Jade, what's going on?" Makhpia's casual walk had turned into crouched stance, similar to that of a cat.
<@AndyGM> From the shadow stepped a woman, over six feet tall with a gorgeous figure, short brown hair, piercing blue eyes and dressed in a red leather get up that left little to the imagination. Those Blue eyes beheld the group from behind a pair of slender wire framed spectacles. "Of course you've all stepped inside of the biggest trap on this Gods Forsaken world."
<@AndyGM> The woman turned and fixed her eyes on Mak. "I am Lilith, Jade's big sister, and there are far worse things in this city than a couple of demons, albeit beautiful and talented ones."