Tears of Taija: The End!

[MDSnowman]

Tears of Taija: Prologue

A dark cave, lit by torches and a smooth circular stone turned into a table that was surrounded by figures. One man wore the robes of a mage with short black hair, pale skin, and deep brown eyes. Another man wore leather breaches, heavily furred cloak and had long white hair tied into a top knot with a matching short beard. A tall slender woman with dark skin dressed in a thick brown cloak while gripping an ornate spear. Finally another figure approached the table from the darkness a man with short black hair dressed in leather armor with armored shoulder pads and baggy pants. On this new comer’s back was a sheathed sword.

“About time you made it Nox. We were starting to think you were ignoring the call.” The man with the white hair said softly.

“Well excuse me, not all of us elect to hide in this hole that you’ve dug like rats.” The newcomer, Nox spat.

“That’s unfair Nox, even Obi manage to slip his leash long enough to get here.” The dark skinned woman sniped with a grin, drawing an angry glare from the robed dark haired man, Obi.

“I suggest that we move onto the reason you called us here, Thundermere, before someone says something they’ll regret.” Obi said, trying to contain his temper.

“My apologies Nox, I realize that it is not always easy for you to come here.” The white haired fellow, Thundermere, nodded slowly. The Nox nodded in response.

“It deals with the prophecy. Those of us living here have decided that we are going to try and avert the coming disaster.”

“That’s madness. We don’t have the numbers, and all but the youngest of us are bound by the pact.” Obi said his dark eyebrow shooting upward.

“That’s true, and thus, we will rely on the mortals.” Thundermere said waving his hand. Suddenly a mist spread from the table top and moved upward until it began to take on the shape of a tower on a rocky shore.

“This is Ghenna Prison in Beleme. Our salvation lies within.”

Coming 01/06/09

Tears of Taija

Act I: The Chase

[MDSnowman]

Game begins in 24 hours....

[starrynitesong]

Game Master: The bottom level of Gehenna prison was reserved for the worst of the worst. The thin stone walkway that ringed the outside was the only access to the dozen cells or so there. In the center of the level, connected to the walkways by a rope bridge was a spiral staircase heading upwards. Beneath the walkway the tower descended into darkness. It was a reoccuring story of prisoners being shoved down and no one hearing them land. At the moment there were only six prisoners on this bottom level.

Petra: Petra sat on the small cot in the corner of her cell, afraid and infuriated at her inability to see or even sense anything in this god awful place. She could hear some noises from the other cells but just barely. Just because she had some special powers, she was treated like some monster. "Let me out of here, you scum! I've done nothing wrong and this is cruelty, denying me the ability to see without my gifts. Let me out already!" she cried, knowing no one would answer.

Vai: Crowded into a corner of her room, a woman sits and hides. She is one of Gaists favorites and has gone to him many times. She fights every time. She has long white hair and crystal blue eyes. Her name is Vai, and she seeths in hated for Gaists and for the people who put her here.

Matuzack: Matuzack sat hunched over in his cell. His was the smallest of the twelve, a punishment for too much talk. He pulled back a bloodied and scared fist, ramming it into the cell door. The stone and steel was harder than his fist, and he felt bits of bone shatter. "Not today." He grumbled. He sat, leaning against the wall, and attempted to take a nap. He would have, if not for the wails of the youngin' a few cells away. "SHUT UP!" He bellowed.

Makhpia: Makhpia sat in silence. That's what the problem. The silence. She couldn't hear them. The spirits wern't here, and it unnerved her. She ignored the other inmates. Probably didn't want to talk to an orc anyway.

Jade: Jade could have careless about the noises or the yells that she heard echo through the halls. She didn't pay any attention to guards on patrol nor did she keep track of how long she was in this hole. She was as happy as she was going to get. This was punishment and she rather enjoyed it. In fact, she thrived on punishment. It was what she deserved for the deads she had done and so, for now, she was content sitting on the floor of her cell scrawling pictures on the stone with a pebble she had pried out of one of the wall with her fingernails.

Dugall: The pale, thin man sat with his legs crossed, leaning against a wall. He had a look of perfect repose, only with an occasional, rare grimace. His eyes were shut, his mouth still, almost as if dreaming. His black, curly hair and beard were overgrown, dirtied and tangled, but it didn’t seem to bother him. His only verbalizations are the response to the protests of the others down here in Hell. Just a few soft tones that were intended to calm the others, nothing more. “Be still, you are down here for a reason. There is no way out, so shed your regrets and be at peace.”

Vai: Vai just rolls over, pressing herself closer against the wall.

Matuzack: "Oh don't you start your damn mouth, Dungheap. If I wanted some advice from ye' I'd come over there and kick it out of ye'"

Petra: "Big words for a man locked in a cell like the rest of us. How about using those muscles of yours to rip your cell door off and then free the rest of us. Or is that too much for you right now?"

Vai: Heh. Vai just listens. It is not the grand plays she saw, but it was the best she was going to get down here

Matuzack: "If I could, don't you think I would have the first day you came in her crying for your daddy? I'd have booted your ass down that hole myself. See how long I could hear your bawling."

Jade: The hole .... hmmm Jade pondered this a moment as she snapped out of her reverie enough to listen to the bs talk that was presently being passed from cell to cell.

Petra: "You have punched the door and wall, from what I've heard from your cell. Have you tried to get a grip on part of the door, then rip it off instead of simply hitting it? Might work. And you are such a big man, picking on a little blind girl."

Makhpia: "Humans talk to much." Makhpia mutters.

Matuzack: "Haha, you’re blind! That means you ain't seen Red. Hey Red, when you coming over here to see me?"

Jade: Oh he seriously wasn't talking about her now was he? Jade grinned but did not respond.

Vai: "Enough Matuzak," Vai says. "Would you rather beat up Petra or fight Gaist? Tell me what you would do to him again."

Matuzack: "Eh. I'd rather beat Gaist with Petra. Is that an option? Well, I reckon I'd like to rip off his head and shit down it. But I think that'd be too quick." Mat's voice trailed off, "He's got my dog."

Dugall: "Ah, Gaist, the worshipper of death, who fears nothing. I think that's him.... do I recall him?"

Gaist: "I wish to f*@k's sake I could forget a freak like you." A voice boomed from above.

Vai: "Yes. Way to go. We got to work together. He's laughing at us as we fight with each other."

Dugall: "No need to fight, everything's over. Just need to be here. All of you will be gone, short enough anyway."

Gaist: The sounds of footsteps echoed endlessly through the lowest level as three spear wielding guards leached the landing followed by an eight foot tall monstronisty in a hide, chainmail, and plate composite armor with a huge pelt cape and a great helm over his massive head.

Jade: Jade shook her head and went back to graffiting the floor of her cell.

Petra: "Oh, great. I would know that voice and sound of those footsteps after this much time. The big guy himself is here for a visit." Petra said as she tried to hide underneath the cot now.

Gaist: "How are my favorite prisoners today!" The huge figure, Gaist bellowed as he slapped both hands on his bulbous stomach.

Makhpia: Makhpia acknowledges Gaist with a shrug, but says nothing.

Vai: She just shuts up and digs herself into the corner

Matuzack: Matuzack bared his teeth.

Jade: "Gaist?" Jade finally spoke up though remained unmoved.

Dugall: "How? The great question of "how", or "where' or "why" are meaningless. thank you, Gaist. The great fates that be have removed these concerns from me. I have reached the glorious end, a state of no desire or wanting."

Gaist: "That's Warden Gaist to you b*tch." He ignored the skinny man as well as he could.

Jade: She ignored him. "That man who claims he has muscles ... could you blow him a kiss for me?" Jade grinned and drew a hangman on the floor.

Gaist: "I just wanted to share some news with you all. Since we're such a big ol' happy family." He grinned taking off his helmet.

Matuzack: "You just want to hear yourself talk."

Gaist: "No, I wanted to see the look on your face when I told you that the latest ration shipment is a week late. So You guys won't be eating for a while. But I feel your pain really I do... tonight I'm going to be reduced to eating dog."

Jade: "Pfft" was Jade's only response as she drew a pit of fire under the hanged man.

Matuzack: "I'LL EAT YOUR F*@KING HEART" Matuzack said, knowing what Gaist was implying. He grabbed the bars of his cell, trying hard to tear them form the walls.

Petra: "You slimbag! That dog doesn't deserve such a cruel fate. You should have your men got out hunting instead. Besides, if that dog is anywhere as tough as the talk of its owner, you couldn't even take one bite."

Jade: "It doesn't taste as good as you think it would." She would know ... the heart that is, of course. She never ate dog before.

Gaist: He laughed claping his hands together. "If there are any scraps I'll bring 'em back for you."

Dugall: "Gaist, remember in your dining on the canine that someday, you too, shall be eaten. May be worms that dine upon your flesh, but you will pass, like the others. "

Vai: She stifles a giggle

Makhpia: "All actions have a reaction. Be warned"

Gaist: "Goddess Damnit, next time I come down here, gag that freak first! I told you I never wanted to hear him again!" He scowled and the guards shivered slightly.

Vai: She lets out a giggle that can be heard. "Do not take Taija's name in vain."

Jade: "You tell em Gaist." she mumbled with a sly grin.

Gaist: He kept scowling and kicked his helmet off of the stairs letting it fall into the pit. His fun ruined he glared. "Bring the red head to my room tonight at second watch. The blind girl tomorrow. Maybe a few days without food will improve the Princess' attitude."

Matuzack: "How about your forget them," Matuzack said, licking his lips, sanity seeming to leave his eyes. "How 'bout you c'mere and let me show you a good time instead you overgrown p*ssy. You can bring the guards, they can watch."

Dugall: "Taija? It reminds me of... No, it was but a dream."

Gaist: Gaist stormed up the stairs followed by the guards.

Petra: "You better change your mind about me tomorrow! Or else I will gut you and rip your flesh off with teeth if needed!" Petra yelled in a fury at the fat man.

Jade: "Use the whip ...."

Vai: Vai sits up and prays some more.

Matuzack: "Burn him Red, burn him!" Matuzack throws himself at the door several more times before slumping to the ground, exhausted.

Dugall: "Wise decision, elevating yourself to another plane of personal reality," he comments to Vai, "I seem to remember someone who did.. no just another dream."

Jade: "His time will come ...." she mumbled again. His time would come but right now she needed him for her own purposes.

Vai: "It is the only peace I have here. I pray for salvation, for everyone."

Makhpia: Makhpia just stands up and starts to walk around her cell, grumbling in orc "What purpose does this serve. Spirits. Why?"

Jade: Jade hissed and got up. She moved to the bars and grabbed a hold of them. "Do not pray for me. Save your prayers for the righteous."

Vai: "I pray for you too. What else can we do here but pray."

Jade: "Your prayers are wasted." she spat and went back to her corner to sit down.

Matuzack: Matuzack starts snoring.

Vai: She sits there praying. "Do not turn your back on Taija. She has not turned her back on you."

Petra: "How about work together to get out of this hellhole already. That sounds better than sitting around and doing nothing. Although what use is a blind girl in this." Petra said, while trying to once again feel around her cell for any loose bricks.

Makhpia: Makhpia starts laughing at the blind girl's statements.

Jade: Jade started shrieking at the top of her lungs. Just screaming ... anything to get out of here. Punish her ... whatever just get her away from these words ...those words.

Vai: "Even if you do not believe in her, she believe in you."

Matuzack: Mat jumps up at the screaming, "What? Gaist rape time already?"

Jade: Jade slapped her hands over her ears and rocked back and forth. Had to block it out ...

Game Master: Suddenly a chilly breeze fills the area for the briefest of moments, biting cold, something totally unlike the cold you know.

Vai: "Taija. We offer you our prayers and ... " she stops feeling the cold. "What is that?" Petra: "Okay, can anyone see outside their cell to see what caused that? Is someone else besides us prisoners here?"

Dugall: "This is... new? I think- or has been a while, at least"

Matuzack: Mat wraps his arms around himself. "That's.. Cold.." He presses his face to the bars, trying to see the source.

Jade: Jade stopped rocking and dropped her hands from her ears.

Makhpia: "Is that a cold, or am I goin crazy?"

Vai: "You are not crazy..." Vai says

Matuzack: "This is familiar.."

Game Master: Suddenly the coldness abates and is replaced by chanting. Two voices, one male, and one female.

Petra: "Woah, what is going on? Because I know there are at least 2 people besides all of us here. Somebody tell me something, please."

Matuzack: "When we know, we'll tell you."

Jade: "It's a spell of somekind."

Vai: "Elemental... Arcane. But nothing works here!"

Makhpia: "Obviously Elemental, and yet, arcane? Strange."

Matuzack: "Someone must be escaping. Haha. I hope they kill Gaist on their way out."

Game Master: The chanting aburptly stops.

Matuzack: "Ah sh*t. Guess they're dead."

Vai: She looks around. What could it be!

Dugall: "....." The thin man just sits in his repose. He had seen break out attempts before.

Game Master: Then the ground begins to tremble.

[starrynitesong]

Makhpia: "The earth seems angry." Makhpia mutters nervously in orcish.

Matuzack: "..."

Jade: Jade smiled and touched the ground feeling the power beneath her fingers.

Vai: "Taija..." Vai says.

Jade: Jade growled.

Game Master: The tremble grows in strength more and more until the entire tower seems to shudder at the force of it.

Dugall: "I feel the earth beneath my feet tremble, but like everything here, it is not a personal reality. My personal reality is a void of Hell, where an echo lasts a lifetime."

Vai: Vai tries to cast a spell, any spell

Game Master: Nothing happens as Vai tries to cast, but the ground shakes more and more violently.

Jade: She laughed. "You know not hell my friend."

Vai: She keeps on trying. "Matuzak... keep on trying! Burst the gate!"

Matuzack: He shrugs his shoulders, gripping the door and pulling hard.

Vai: She keeps on trying to blast the gate!

Dugall: "Hell, abandonment of desire, of wanting, an endless void where only shadows of dreams may come. A personal thing, to bring one beyond pain. This too will pass."

Game Master: Suddenly a loud cracking noise fills the air as several large chunks of rock fall from high above. In that moment it feels as though the air somehow becomes clearer, that a weight is lifted off your shoulders.

Matuzack: Matuzack laughs, attempting to pull the door from the frame.

Game Master: Matuzack almost seems to grow in his cell as he wrenches at the bars.

Vai: She blows the door off its hinges. "YES!! Time for those blighters to get whats coming to them!"

Jade: Jade could feel the fire flood her body, she tossed her head back and drew in a deep breath. Ahhh such a wonderful feeling but she was still staying in that cell.

Dugall: "Something... familiar... once lost? Only illusion, a dream. I am slumbering?..."

Game Master: The cell door was ripped from its hinges as Matuzack ripped it like it was made of tinders.

Petra: "I..I can see again! Well, see using my gifts. Time to get out of here." Petra said as she pulled whatever rock, earth and stone she could and launched it at the cell door in a fury.

Makhpia: "Hmm, well, it seems like the wounds are hurting. To bad I've got nothing to salve over it."

Matuzack: Alex grips the door in his hand, feeling the weight of it in his hand. He walks over to the nearest door and attempts to pull it free.

Dugall: "Revenge, what is this revenge you speak of? Another voice, just passing by? Not heard, until long ago."

Game Master: A stone spike strikes Petra's bars and throws off their hinges and through the air.

Vai: Gripping her thin blanket with one hand as she floats off the ground. She floats out of her cell. "Where is that pig! WHere is GAIST?"

Dugall: The pale sod stands, eyes still closed.

Petra: Walking out of the cell, she gets the basic outline of the area, as well as those around here. She notes the big guy, she would teach him a lesson for the insult earlier, but right now wasn't the time.

Jade: She couldn't touch the bars but she sure as hell could toss some of that hellfire energy at them in the hopes of busting through the door.

Dugall: "I am awaken, to leave, is to know slumber, to know pain, which I have no need of." he says, walking to the door.

Matuzack: "You talk too much," Mat says, ripping free the door that held Dungall.

Makhpia: "Metal bars, I don't suppose you want to open." Makhpia knocks on the door lightly.

Petra: "I suggest we get out of here already, before whatever restored our gifts wears off." Petra said as she draws any stone or earth beneath her feet up into the air, making a column 5' wide but 25' tall.

Game Master: Jade's fire melts a hole in her bars, just as Matuzack wrenches Makhpia's door from its frame.

Matuzack: "Out ye' go." He said, motioning. He checks the other cells, making sure no one is left behind.

Jade: Jade carefully steps out of her cell with a brilliant smile.

Dugall: "No need, for I am not imprisoned, for a physical being is not a personal reality. Freedom imposes so many conflicting restictions. Better to be... elevated, but shall put your suggestion under erasure and follow."

Vai: "Blessed Taija. I told you the power of prayer would work!"

Dugall: His eyes open, showing cold blue spheres, "Can see."

Makhpia: "I suppose I'm in your debt." She nods towards Matuzack.

Dugall: He approaches the others, "Ah, fellow inmates."

Matuzack: "Heh." He says, looking her up and down "I can think of a few ways to pay me back. Just not now". Matuzack turns, meeting with the others.

Dugall: Dugall walked out of his cell

Vai: "Allow me," she says as she uses her telekineses to rise everyone up and out.

Petra: Petra tries to feel through the floors and up the stairs with her unique form of sight, to sense if any guards are coming due to what happened down here.

Game Master: The six rise up from the ground together.

Matuzack: Matuzack grunts. "Take me to Gaist. I want my damn dog."

Vai: "I want him DEAD!"

Petra: "Hey, what are you doing! I can't see what is around me when off the ground. This better not last too long." Petra says in an annoyed tone.

Dugall: "Gaist... the one who worships death."

Jade: "I kind of liked him." she shrugged.

Game Master: You rise upwards, five floor, six, ten, twelve until you see daylight. The ground floor of the tower, with a huge gaping hole in it.

Makhpia: "I'm flying. Wee." Makhpia says in a monotone voice.

Vai: "Oh the blessed sun. My praised to Taija! I never thought I would see it again!"

Petra: "Okay, can we land already, please. I hate not being able to sense what is around me." Petra said, getting more annoyed by the second now.

Dugall: "Surely... an illusion? So long- so many pass-" he shields his eyes to repel away the light.

Jade: Jade rolled her eyes, it was all she could other than spazzing the hell out.

Vai: "Be at ease child. You are in Taijas embrace."

Matuzack: "Whitehair." Matuzack said to Via. "You've been there. Where's Gaist's room?"

Game Master: You rise through the whole to see the tower rise another four floors above you with slightly better stairs than before... and ten guards gaping in horror.

Petra: "Yeah and blind as a bat without any ground beneath my feet. Land already or I'm going to launch a boulder up here!" Petra said, extremely annoyed right now and simply wishing to land.

Vai: I take us to Gaist room... after we deal with the ten guards

Game Master: One yells. "Sh*t the prisoners have their magic, raise the alarm!!" His voice carries and the tower shakes again... but this time with the force of hundred of men and women assaulting their cell doors at once.

Jade: Jade peered down at them all and grinned. Chaos ... what a wonderful thing.

Petra: "Awww, man. I don't want to have to deal with the guards right now." Petra said, less impatient to land right now.

Matuzack: Matuzack pulled himself down to the ground, and rushed the guards.

Dugall: "No, shall not?" Dugall said, raising his hand, his shadow growing taller immensely, as something... emerges from it, and tries to strike the guards down.

Vai: She lands us on solid ground

Makhpia: "Guards. And me not dressed for the occasion. Oh well."

Matuzack: Matuzack rushes headlong into the men, attempting to grab the first man and use him as a club.

Game Master: Matuzack wrenches a guard off of his feet easily and grabs him by his ankles swinging him around.

Game Master: The shadow behind Dugall lashes out in a mass of tendrils, one guard manages to avoid it but the other two are struck by them and sent flying backwards against the cobblestone.

[starrynitesong]

Petra: "Finally, about time. Ah, now I can sense the guards. Time for some fun." Petra said as she felt the earth and stone beneath begin to form into an armor of rock around her. Then suddenly disappears into the ground beneath her, as she starts forming a tunnel around the edge of the tower, trying to make a sink hole.

Jade: Jade rolled her shoulders and struck a pose. Her only intent was to strike fear into as many foes as she could manage.

Game Master: The guard Dugall missed suddenly goes wide eyes in terror and flees as fast as his feet will carry him away from Jade.

Matuzack: Matuzack unleashes a bellowing roar in the face of the nearest guard.

Game Master: The man shakes and takes a step back in fear.

Matuzack: He laughs, then takes a swip at the shaken man with his companion.

Game Master: Matuzack strikes the man with his coworker and both crumble into a heap as they skid across the floor.

Dugall: Dugall looks for a second at the battlements, trying to see if there was anybody with a horn or other means of signaling for help. Dugall's eyes widen once again, calling forth some long past instinct, summoning a shadow skeletal hand, a barbed tentacle, and a large claw to strike at his enemies.

Game Master: Two more guards are swepot aside by that shadowy appendge and sent flying. The remaining three guards look at one another. One makes a run for it, while the remaining two make poorly aimed jabs at Matuzack with their spears which he easily dodges.

Makhpia: Makhpia launches herself at one of the guards, attempting to deck him in the face.

Game Master: There's a loud crunch as the young Orc's punch sends the man reeling and sprawled out on the ground.

Vai: "Gaist is at the top of of the tower," she says as she creates a portal. "Hurry, we are paying him a visit."

Game Master: A magical portal enevelopes the group and when it clears the group stands in a huge well appointed room elsewhere in the tower.

Makhpia: "That felt... Strange."

Vai: She searches for the beast.

Dugall: "Intelligence gathering needed?" the thin man said before letting his shadow devour him and then disappearing.

Game Master: The room is empty of life save for a basset hound tied to a post in the corner, but your equipment does line the wall.

Petra: "Seesh, just pluck me right out of the ground, why don't you." Petra said annoyed that she had only down 2/3rds of the work on the tunnels to collapse the tower she wanted to.

Jade: And that's what Jade spies first. She runs over to grab her rapier and armor. "Oooo how I've missed you." She speaks to the rapier and runs her tongue over the tip.

Matuzack: Matuzack walks over, pulling Quix free from his post. He holds him up, letting him lick his face.

Game Master: The hound wags its tail happily.

Vai: She sighs. She doesnt have anything here that belongs to her

Petra: "Okay, from the sound of things, I'm glad to be blind right now." Petra said in response to hearing what Jade said to her sword.

Dugall: Dugall goes walking through the nearby walls and checks to see who is around.

Makhpia: Makhpia walks over to her equipment, looking over it to make sure it was in good condition still.

Jade: Jade grinned at the comment as she pulled on her jacket and sheathed her little friend.

Dugall: The shadow moves through the wall, back, "Men, lots, coming." he whispers to the others.

Vai: She clutches her thin blanket, searching for something else to wear

Matuzack: Matuzack grabs his armor, quickly pulling it on. He pauses for a moment, watching Jade lick the sword. "That's.." He shakes his head. Once his armor is on, he grabs his axe.

Gaist: A bell tolls loudly and you spy a staircase in the corner, coming down from the staircase is Gaist, his eyes go wide in shock. "What in the hell!?!?!"

(to be continued . . . )

[MDSnowman]

Interlude #1

The wind whipped around the peak overlooking Ghenna tower viciously. As if out of thin air three figures appeared on the peak. All wearing robes, the white haired figure of Thundermere, the dark haired form of Obi, and finally the dark skinned woman clutching a spear. A swirl of chilly air heralded there coming and careened down the mountainside.

“Are you sure you want to do this Thundermere?” The Dark skinned woman uttered.

“There’s no choice Emberia. All who could interfere with the prophecy are imprisoned in that building.” Thundermere said with his head lowered.

“But the one in there… he…” The dark skinned woman, Emberia asked quietly.

“It’s a price that must be paid. Please, Obi… Emberia begin.”

Obi and Emberia nodded and took up positions opposite of one another. Obi raised his arms and the stone ground bulged becoming a perfect scale model of the tower. The dark haired Obi then crouched in front of his creation and drew a circle in the dirt surrounding it. He chanted under his breath as closed the circle and it glowed. He stood up and took a step backwards still chanting.

Emberia pointed one finger at the model tower and chanted softly. The earth within the circle began to quake ever so slightly. Down below the earth around the actual tower began to quake in unison with the model. She chanted more loudly and the ground quaked harder and harder. The false and real tower began to shudder under the force of it. Finally she snapped her fingers and a crack opened up in the ground running to the tower and cracking its miniature body. At the same time a huge crack opened up on the ground by the tower, and raced towards it causing a loud crash of broken stone.

Emberia glanced at Thundermere and smiled.

“If they can’t get out with us destroying the seal that made that place magic-proof then they don’t deserve to go free.” She grinned softly.

[Pandaman]

We kicked ass :)

[Unknown Soldier]

Haha, I wrote "Alex" once. I know I had typed it in there several times, but thought I caught it each time. Apparently not.

[MDSnowman]

Hehe I was informed I need to stop cursing as much as I do.

[Unknown Soldier]

It's not you it's the character.

[Libra]

Just popping in to let you know I'm watching. Have fun!

[starrynitesong]

Game Master: When last we left our heroes they were face to face with the man who had tortured, raped, and threatened to eat their pets. Our heroes are armed, and Gaist is less than pleased by the development.

Gaist: "Oh crap." He whistled and five huge Wolves bounded down the stairs after him.

Dugall: "I told you one day something would come to eat you." He says, emerging from the shadows for a surprise attack on Gaist.

Matuzack: Matuzack felt the weight of the axe in his hand, smiled, then threw it as hard as he could at Gaist.

Jade: "Hey Gaist baby ... I've got something to show ya." Jade posed to show off her charms in the hopes of distracting him.

Gaist: Gaist grins wide as Jade tries to get his attention. "There will be plenty of time for that once the rest of this lot are back in their cages." Two Dire Wolves take up positions next to Gaist and growl protectively while one lunges at Matuzack and he manages to bat it away. A second Dire Wolf Rushes toward Dugall and sinks its teeth into his arm.

Game Master: Dugall manages to throw the massive beast off quickly getting away with a few minor scratches. The final Dire Wolf charges at Jade and she manages to sidestep it with grace.

Gaist: Gaist takes a step forward and unfurls his whip. "I'll start with you tough guy!" He swung that barbed whip with ungodly force striking Matuzack fiercely.

Game Master: Matuzack managed to throw up an arm and absorb the force of the blow but as Gaist drew the whip back the barbs cut a wide gash on his arm.

Matuzack: Matuzack let out a low growl before charging, raising his axe high in the air coming down with a powerful strike.

Gaist: Gaist threw up his arms protectively and the ground almost buckled under the force of the attack. Gaist glared angrily down at Matuzack, a stream of blood dripping from where the axe split his solid steel gauntlet.

Lady Vai: Anger grows in her, and she lets out a barrage of mystic bolts! "I will never go back to the cage!!"

Gaist: The streams of magical energy struck Gaist's side filling the room with the smell of burnt flesh and animal hair. He winced clearly in pain.

Dugall: He moves to a more favorable position away from the wolf but close to Gaist to get a favorable shot at the whip.

Gaist: The shadowy tendril wraps around Gaist's whip and wrenches it from his hand violently, sending it to the ground.

Petra: Petra glared at the vile man before them all and at his wolves. Taking aim, she caused part of the stone floor beneath one of the dire wolves to form into a giant hand and punch upward at it.

Game Master: The Dire wolf was launched into the air and slammed onto the ground, slow to get up.

Makhpia: Makhpia channels the spirit of the bison in her armor, and if one of the wolves are near enough with her spear, she attacks it.

Game Master: The Dire Wolf yelps and struggles as the Orc skewers him on the end of her spear. He thrashes but goes limp.

Jade: Jade produces a ball of hell fire and chucks it at Gaist. "This is the kind of fire I like."

Gaist: Gaist screamed out in pain as the ball of fire engulfs him and he falls to his knees the fire burning away layers of his skin. The three remaining wolves fix their attention on Jade and rush her as one. She managed to kick two away and the third gnashed for her throat.

Game Master: Jade manages to get her rapier into the beast's mouth using it to force the beast down. The three Wolves growl angrily at Jade still.

Matuzack: Matuzack continues the strike down Gaist's bracers, twisting around to bring the axe down across Gaist's chest.

Gaist: There was a sickening thunk as the axe sank into Gaist’s chest. His shallow breathing abruptly stopped.

Lady Vai: She stares at Gaist and pumps mystic blast after mystic blast into him...

Game Master: The body jerks slightly and becomes even more disfigured having been burnt by pure arcane force, and Hellfire.

Dugall: Dugall aims calls his tentacles from his shadows, "Eat, eat and have your fill. Maggots take you!" with a grin, aiming at whatever hounds he could that were attacking Jade.

Game Master: The shadow tentacles lash out becoming like spikes perforating one of the wolves attacking Jade causing it to fall to the ground dead.

Petra: Focusing on the stones in the ceiling this time, Petra causes one above one of the still standing dire wolves to extend downward and slam it into the floor hard.

Game Master: The Wolf yelped as it was pile driven into the ground by the ceiling itself.

Makhpia: "I'm sorry." Makhpia apologizes to the dead wolf on her spear, and to the next wolf as she pulls out the spear and attacks another.

Game Master: The spear pierces the side of the last wolf causing it to cry out in pain and limp towards a corner with no more strength to fight.

Lady Vai: "May Taija curse your soul!" Vai says throwing another blast into him.

Matuzack: Matuzack pulled his axe from Gaist's chest with a sick, slurping noise. "I was gonna eat his heart.." he said, kicking the body, "But I don't think I could find it in that mess."

Dugall: The shadow man just dusts himself off, binding his scrape with a bit of his own shadow. "No need for histrionics, but more soldiers are coming, if you seek this illusion of freedom, should get out of here."

Makhpia: Makhpia grabs her knife and hatchet before moving over to Vai. "Let it rest. He has moved on to whatever afterlife he deserves."

Game Master: On the other side of the door into Gaist's room a commotion could be heard, then the door shuddered being battered from the other side.

Dugall: His tendrils wrapped around the whip, grabbing it. "This would be something you want, I take it?" he says, offering it to Jade.

Lady Vai: "You weren’t taken by this pig!" she says spitting at him

Matuzack: "More wish to see their own blood!" Matuzack says with glee, looking at the door.

Jade: Jade walked over to Gaist’s remains and crouched down. "I didn't want to do it lover but you made me. Don't worry, you're in a better place now." Jade stood up and looked at Vai and growled. She reached out and took the whip. "Thank you." it was her first sincere moment before she tossed the whip at Lady Vai. "But she deserves it more than I."

[starrynitesong]

Petra: "Not more trouble, I knew I should have just sunk this place into a sinkhole."

Game Master: The ground began to shake violently once again... and this time... it wasn't stopping.

Petra: "Okay, time to get while we still can." Petra said as she focused her power on the stone walls leading out of this tower of terror, causing it to rip off.

Makhpia: "We can argue about this later human." Makhpia says to Vai "But for now we should go."

Lady Vai: "We should get out of here," Vai says collecting you all in her telekinesis. She flies you all out and away!

Makhpia: Makhpia grabs the dead wolf corpse before leaving.

Game Master: The wall is ripped from it by Petra and Vai's magic carries the group gently downwards as the tower shakes, starting to crumble under the force of the earthquake.

Dugall: "Everything crumbles, passes to dust..."

Matuzack: "Oh, shut up."

Lady Vai: "May Taija curse this place forever."

Game Master: As you float to safety you see how incredibly localized the Earthquake is... barely extending five feet past the tower's perimeter.

Makhpia: "That is very... strange."

Jade: "Ahh see now that was beautiful." she appreciated. "Well, I'm outta here." Jade turned away from the group and began to walk off.

Petra: "Wait. Don't go, we still aren't completely safe. News of what has happened here will travel fast. It won't be long before more soldiers are sent after it. We need to stick together, at least for the time being."

Matuzack: "Sent after what? Dead bodies? Ain't no one going to know we're gone."

Jade: Jade stopped and turned around. "You think so?" a slender brow perked. "You want me on your team is that it?" she was amused.

Petra: "With the kind of powers we each have, do you doubt they have such individuals in their employ? Someone could have the power to be watching us right now and we wouldn't even know it."

Dugall: The gaunt soul searched among the wreckage for some scrap of cloth to serve as a cloak to drape over himself.

Jade: "I'll tell you what. You have a point and I will stick around. However, the lady ..." she pointed to Vai with her rapier. "Needs to tone down the preaching. Is that possible?"

Lady Vai: Vai collapses to the ground and begins crying. She is looking up, clutching her blanket to her.

Game Master: As Dugall moves back towards the remains of the tower he could hear voices, not everyone in there was dying or dead.

Makhpia: "I don't think she's in the mood to preach right now." Makhpia sits next to Vai in silence after that.

Dugall: "Souls still alive in Hell." he notes, finding some dirty rages and fits them over himself.

Matuzack: "Feh on that. If they're lurking in the shadows, that's where they'll stay. Cowardly ways for cowardly men!" Matuzack lay down, sprawled across the ground. Quix quickly joined him, plopping his head on his chest.

Jade: "I wouldn't be so quick to relax. Let's get a move on." Jade nodded to a direction away from the tower.

Game Master: There appeared to be only two directions to go... the rocky shore, and the rough mountain pass leading away from the tower.

Makhpia: "We need to go. Can you do that?" Makhpia asks Vai somewhat motherly.

Jade: And so she moved toward the rough mountain pass.

Lady Vai: She gets up. "Where?" she says.

Petra: "The mountain pass, with our combined powers it would be the most difficult for anyone to follow us through." Petra says as she begins to follow behind Jade.

Makhpia: "Away from here. Beyond that I unfortunately I am a stranger here and know little of the area." Makhpia stands up and grabs the wolf carcass.

Matuzack: "You gonna carry that thing around with you from now on?"

Makhpia: "We need food. And the pelt will make a nice cloak."

Jade: Jade listened to the conversations behind her and grinned. Slowing down she looked over at Petra when she caught up. "Impressive." was all she said. It was her way of saying thank you for taking care of one of the wolves that were cornering her.

Dugall: "Use every resource. And Gaist threatened to do the same to you. An eye for an eye."

Matuzack: Matuzack scratched his stomach, then picked at his teeth a few moments before pulling himself up and following the rest of the group.

Lady Vai: She clutches her blanket, and floats a few inches above the ground. She looks at the party and at Jade in particular. "We are all in her hands now." she says. "Is that acceptable?"

Makhpia: Makhpia makes sure Vai is following and when convinced she is well enough follows the group.

Dugall: Dugall follows and just stares at the sun, "So bright... almost seems unnatural... Long time."

Game Master: The group begins walking putting distance between them and the tower.

Makhpia: Makhpia keeps an eye, and a nose, out for any dangers that might try to waylay the group.

Game Master: The day begins to pass somewhat as they walk together.

Lady Vai: "Where are we going?"

Matuzack: "This is the part where Dungheap here says some bull about the journey being more than the destination."

Petra: "Away from that hellhole, first. After we are far away enough, we can figure out where to go from there. No telling who works for the group that ran that hellhole, have to be careful."

Jade: Looks for a sufficient place to call home for the night.

Matuzack: "You keep calling it a hellhole. It was a prison. We all did something to get put in there."

Lady Vai: "I did nothing! Nothing to deserve being thrown in there!" she yells.

Jade: Jade keeps moving for now still looking for the perfect spot to rest. In the meantime she was listening to the conversation behind her.

Petra: "The only crime I did was being gifted with this power over earth and stone. Nothing else. Didn't ask for them. Does that sound like a crime worthy of imprisonment in such a prison?"

Makhpia: "Certainly. I was born an orc." Makhpia says with a shrug.

Dugall: Dugall simply ignores the insult for the moment, sheltering himself rom the remaining light, looking around the area to see what it was like."

Matuzack: He lets out a low laugh. "Oh yeah, everyone's innocent. I didn't kill them two fella's either. was framed, I tell you."

Game Master: The pass they were on appeared to have been traveled millions of times over the years, the rocky slopes rose up on either side of it as if carved from a twin pair of mountains ages ago.

Lady Vai: "Is this a good place to rest for the night?"

Dugall: "A prison, stone and brick are not this. Your Hell is a personal reality, one you carry with you. All condemned for a reason, were failures, deserved it."

Jade: Jade stopped and turned around. "I think it's fine. You?"

Game Master: You eventually come upon a outcropping that would shelter a camp site if it were to rain, and an old fire pit declares it's been used as such, at least within living memory.

Dugall: Dugall goes into shadow form and checks the area for nearby people, melding into the shadows "Ah, have not sampled this pleasure for quite some time, feels right."

Lady Vai: She rests. "What about a fire?" she asks. "We are long away from wood"

Petra: "Yeah, after all this I need to good night's rest for once." Petra said as she began to move into the outcropping, forming a small tent out the stone and earth. Laying down inside it, she tried to simply relax. Strangely the ground was more comfortable than the cot was.

Jade: Jade created a ball of hellfire and tossed it into the fire pit. "That should hold for a while. Does anyone have some clothes they can offer this girl so she doesn't have to wear a sheet?"

Matuzack: "I got some wood for you." He guffaws, leaning his axe against a tree and pulling Quix out of a makeshift carrier.

[starrynitesong]

Makhpia: Makhpia looks around the area. "I'm more worried about water." She says "Afraid not." She directs the comment at Jade.

Jade: Jade tossed another ball of hair fire at the feet of Mr. Suave. "You wanna play, you play with me."

Lady Vai: She ignores him and smiles at Jade.

Makhpia: Makhpia just shakes her head at the others before dragging the wolf carcass a little ways away and starts skinning it.

Dugall: Dugall returns, "No others have entered our Hell."

Matuzack: "Someone jealous? Don't worry. I can take two at a time. We need wood? I'll be right back." He drags his axe along behind him, walking off in search for a dead tree or fallen log.

Jade: "I have an idea. Why doesn’t one of the men give up their shirt to the lady until we find her some clothes." She paused. "Yeah you better run ..." Jade grinned and sat down for a minute.

Dugall: "I have rags I took, no longer need them," he gave her some of the stuff he wore or found at the rubble.

Lady Vai: She warms herself by the fire and her stomach rumbles. "I am fine for now," she says quietly. "Thank you for asking."

Jade: "Thank you." she commended shadowman. That was twice he helped her out.

Dugall: "This darkness, moonlight, feels like a reprieve. And... you're welcome?" he said, as if it had been a long time since he uttered those words.

Jade: "Okay here is the deal. I think it would be wise to have a look out. One over there and one over there. Two hours at a time. That way we all get some rest. Does that tickle everyone's fancy?"

Dugall: "Yes."

Matuzack: He comes back later with a handful of shrubs. He piles them next to the fire. "That should get us by till mornin."

Petra: Petra could be heard loudly snoring already, very loudly for such a small girl. The peace of mind at not being in the prison cell anymore lulled her off quickly.

Makhpia: "I'm going to be up for awhile. This wolf is rather large." She chuckles as she continues to skin it with her knife.

Lady Vai: She tosses in a few logs. "That is fine." she says. "First time I will be sleeping by a fire in over a year. It is nice."

Jade: "Well then you can go first shift. Pick a partner."

Matuzack: "I'll stay up with the greenskin." He offered.

Lady Vai: She wipes her eyes and tries to sleep. "I took a fire for granted. Never again"

Makhpia: "Hmm, it is acceptable." Makhpia answers.

Dugall: "Second or third shift will be fine for me."

Jade: "I'll go with you second shift" she nodded to shadowman. "Give mother nature and the lady the last shift." the really seemed to need the rest.

Lady Vai: "Can I have to last shift?" she says

Jade: "Of course."

Lady Vai: "Thank you," she mutters and goes to sleep

Matuzack: He made his way to Mak, sitting down. "May I have a piece of meat?" he asked, as polite as possible.

Jade: "We need water ... that's not my specialty. How do you suppose we get that? And no, we are not digging a well." she spoke to the remaining. "I wonder if mother nature can make the ground cry."

Makhpia: "Of course. The meat is for everyone." She moves her hand in a gesture to take a piece.

Petra: Petra could be heard snoring even louder than before, like the noise of a great beast. The reason being her snoring was echoing off the stone walls of her small tent, making it sound much louder than it actually was.

Matuzack: He grabbed two pieces, placing one next to the fire to cook. The other he tore into smaller bits and fed to his dog.

Jade: Jade got up and went over to Petra's tent thingy. "Hey mother nature .... I need your help with something." she attempted to wake her.

Petra: "Huh, wah? Awww, why did you go and wake me up for? I was having a nice dream." Petra said, rubbing her eyes despite having only been asleep a short while.

Dugall: "Can we get... water by draining these shrubs correctly?"

Jade: "I promise you can go back to sleep. Can you get water out of this stone ... with your powers?"

Dugall: He looks at the plants and tries to get some water out of them.

Game Master: The shrubs don't give up more than a cup of water.

Petra: "Not sure if I can do that, never tried. Might be able to make a well, there should be water underground around here." Petra said as she focused with all of her strength to seen any moisture and form a well in the ground.

Game Master: A circular hole plunges into the ground and goes down several feet before filling with water.

Jade: "Never doubt yourself." she grinned and planted a kiss on her. "Thank you. Now .. you can go back to sleep."

Matuzack: "Huh. What do I have to do fer a kiss?"

Petra: Petra goes to scoop up some water in her hands, taking a quick drink. "Now I'm going back to sleep, don't wait wake me til it is my turn for watch." she said, stumbling back to her stone tent and laying down once more.

Jade: "Fall on my rapier." she commented as she leaned over to catch some water in her hands for a drink.

Matuzack: "Hardly seems worth it." He sat, taking his watch.

Jade: "hmmph I thought you would have liked it rough." Jade shrugged as she stood up and went back over to the fire.

Dugall: Dugall grabs a large handful of the meat and plants, quickly gorging down the food, before going to the water hole, then pausing for a moment, looking deeply into the reflection.

Makhpia: Makhpia continues to skin the animal until finished. She then does a quick ritual to prevent the pelt from rotting and starts cooking the meat.

Jade: "Smells good." she commented as she scooted down to rest her head on a nearby stone and fold her hands over her stomach. She was content ... for the moment.

Game Master: The group eats, and sleeps, people taking watch as the night goes on. Dugall, however, awakens late a night and everyone seems to be asleep and there's a figure in nobles clothing hunched over the fire pit stoking the fire with a stick.

Dugall: "Mmmph. A visitor in the night?" he says, waking himself.

Figure: The figure turns revealing a pallid face, devilishly handsome features and long black hair. "Ahh you're awake. I didn't want to wake you."

Dugall: "You could say that. Some are more so that others. What brings you here?"

Figure: He grins. "You. I had hoped we would never have to meet, but since you're free once again I wanted to get a few things straight between you and I."

Dugall: He scratches his dirty, long hair, but remains silent, listening with an emotionless look, waiting for what this stranger has to say.

Figure: "I was willing to ignore your existence while you skittered about like a thief in the night, and then rotting in prison. I suggest now that you're free that you keep skittering in the darkness. Keep your head down, or you will regret it."

Dugall: "Fair enough. My identity doesn't matter. I have no need of my name, or my place in this world. I have dreamt of these, but such dreams are meaningless figments. Why do you... seem so concerned? Who are you?"

Figure: "Me?" "I have so many names." He leans in and Dugall gets a better look at him, his handsome features are marred by a predatory look on his face, all his teeth sharpened to razor points, and his hair wasn't hair, they were masses of leathery tendrils.

Game Master: Dugall wakes to find Makhpia shaking him for his watch.

Dugall: "Hmmm, another dream, how strange. That man... he seemed familiar?"

- - - To be continued - - -

[Unknown Soldier]

Thanks to Starry for doing all this. I know I like reading how awesome I was the night before, I'm sure others do too.