Rise of the Empire

(Several hours ago)
The sounds of battle finally fade in the evening air as the last
bugbear succumbs to the weapons of the group. A full score of
bugbears & hobgoblins lie dead upon the blood soaked ground. Its
obvious from their physical characteristics that this was a group
comprised of more than one clan. The sound of a hunting horn, an
answer to the call blown by the last hobgoblin, rings from the
distance. Yaggl, the white elder goblin, signals for the group to
move forward.

(Presently)
Some thirty miles north & east of the Darguun capitol Rhukaan Draal
in a twisted vale of ancient gnarled trees & tall thorny mazes, the
beleagured group of goblinoids (& other unique individuals) are led
to an opening hidden amongst the large exposed roots of a
particularly ominous looking tree. Some thirty feet beyond the
opening is a stone door that is surrounded by runes of giant &
ancient Dhakaani origin. Yaggl touches several of the runes in a
particular order & the door retreats down into the earth.

Yaggl turns to the assembled group, "You are about to enter one of
the resting places of The Prophet. Do not raise your blade against
anything you will meet. If you are true, you will meet no harm. Now
follow me." The elder leads the group into the opening as torches
along the wall begin to light on their own. The flickering light
reveals murals along the wall of the ancient Dhakaan empire---large
cities, ships in the seas & sky, odd creatures serving as food &
mounts. Then, the scenes change as cities burn & strange creatures
slay all manner of goblinkind---finally at the end of the walls were
they run into an intersection, images of those known as gatekeepers
imprisioning the leaders of the strange creatures in the depths of
Khyber----some of the leaders, that is. At the intersection, a tunnel
goes left & one goes right; both are unlit. The tunnel that continues
straight ahead begins to light its torches as two glowing pinpoints
of light begin to move forward.

Yaggl holds out his arm to stop the group & then he speaks looking at
the approaching light, "Hail Igavard the Preparer! New initiates to
restore the Empire!" The figure moves forward, its clad in ancient
robes of the Dhakaan Empire & wears a death mask of ancient design.
The glowing eyes rove over the assorted being & it finally speaks
with a voice that can only be described as coming from beyond the
grave, "Hmmm, a strange group you have brought to see the prophet,
Yaggl. Come it is time to prepare." The emaciated figure turns to
leave & Yaggl follows, leading the group down the tunnel into a large
room lit up by a central fireplace whose smoke exits the room through
a small hole in the ceiling. Within the fireplace, a large blackened
skull sits---smoke drifts out of the skulls eye sockets in a lazy
manner, ignoring the upward drift to the hole in the ceiling. This
smoke permeates the room & its has a sweet, enticing smell.

Along the north wall a table laden with food & drink appears as
several lockers appear on the east wall & the door of each locker
opens, revealing a simple, blood colored robe. The chilling voice of
Igavard scrapes your nerves, "Eat, & place your gear, weapons, &
armor within the locker. You will wear only the robe within to meet
the prophet."

After an hour in the smoke filled room, the smell of burnt flesh
begins to fill the room. Yaggl stands up (seemingly in slow motion) &
motions for all to stand. The smell of burnt flesh grows stronger as
Yaggl speaks, "Be prepared to speak true to the question you are
about to be asked. If you don't, you shall surely die."

A door in the west wall opens & a horrible figure emerges. Black,
charred flesh that still smokes covers the a large frame of what may
possibly be a large hobgoblin or small bugbear. The white bones that
protrude from some areas are marked in golden runes. Fiery pits gaze
from the burned skull of the being. The right arm of this nightmare
ends in a blunt, glowing red hot brand that seems to constantly
change. The burning creature speaks, "I am Taeg, the marker of
heroes, the executioner of fools. Who seeks the honor to be a
seeker's blade. Speak the path to your destiny." Yaggl motions to a
scarred hobgoblin that just joined the group a few days before the
journey to come here. The hobgoblin shakily approaches the horrid
being, "I am Konak, warrior of the blood tooth clan. My path will be
that of the warrior to see the empire restored!" The burning eyes of
the terror look the hobgoblin up & down & then raises the burning
brand, "Where do you want to bear the mark of your pledge?" The
hobgoblin opens his chest, "Above my heart!" The brand glows bright
white just before he puts it Konak's chest. Konak's face twists in
pain as the brand burns into his chest; then, he lets out a scream as
the brand begins to burn into the flesh & then the bone. Taeg raises
the struggling Konak into the air, "Fool! Did you not think that the
seekers could recognize a spy for that pretender Lhesh Haruuc! Suffer
as you should!" In a mater of minutes only ashes & shards of bone are
all that remain of the spy. Yaggl points at you, "Your next.
Remember, speak true!"

(Um.. which one of us is he refering too? )

ravos20 said:

(Um.. which one of us is he refering too? )

Click to expand...

its a 'general' pointing everyone gets to get cozy w/the marker of heroes

Hearon

NarlethDrider said:

"I am Taeg, the marker of
heroes, the executioner of fools. Who seeks the honor to be a
seeker's blade. Speak the path to your destiny."

"Where do you want to bear the mark of your pledge?"

Yaggl points at you, "Your next.
Remember, speak true!"

Click to expand...

A large Minotaur, wearing little since the removal of his gleaming armor a short time ago, glances at the faces of his unsure companions and feeling little of his usually boisterous confidence (after the display), breathes in deep, lets out a snort and steps forward, His voice booming.

I HEARON, DON'T CLAIM TO KNOW MY DESTINY BUT I WILL SEE THE PROSPERITY OF THE GOBLINS AND ME AND THE RETURN OF THE EMPIRE"

Upon hearing the second part Hearon balls his fist and thumps the center of his chest and shows much more confidence than he feels. A confidence that almost falls apart as the brand touches his chest with a puff of burned fur and flesh.

Nikkitikkit, the tiny black and brown spiderling skittles forward on his eight spider legs... completely unclothed except for the small medallion symbol still hanging around his neck. His head jerks back and forth at all that is going on, and his eyes narrow nervously when he sees that the brand that the bony hobgblin(?) named Taeg wields is not changed for a smaller version when he approaches to be marked. The brand will pretty much scar the entirety of his back when it is used upon him. The thought is disquieting, but his mind goes out to his god Traggitraggot to keep him safe when the fiery metal is placed upon him.

Taeg steps forward and asks him the questions.

'Who seeks the honor to be a seeker's blade? Speak the path to your destiny.'

Click to expand...

'I am Nikkitikkit... priest and prophet of Traggitraggot the Sly! My path will be to sneak past the guards of the current world and assist in the ascention of the Empire once more!'

'Where do you want to bear the mark of your pledge?'

Click to expand...

'Across my back!'

And as the flaming brand sizzles across his spider's torso, the smell of burning hair eminates throughout the room. Nikkitikkit tries his best to not scream out in agony, but a slight whimper can be heard by those who would listen for it. When the brand is finally lifted from his flesh, he skittles back to the line... asks for a blessing from Traggitraggot... and within seconds the soothing coolness of healing slides aross his body, deadening the sharpness of the pain. The brand will remain on his flesh, but eventually the fur will grow back, hiding his support for The Prophet and allowing him to execute his plans for The Empire's ascension from the darkness, as all spiderlings do.

A large and powerful look bugbear stands up swiftly and steps forward with more grace than would be expected one of his powerful race. Dressed in dark breeches and a light undertunic he still seems to strike the watcher as one to be careful of. Even so, he seems a bit unsure of himself as he absentmindedly rubs the palm of his left hand on the brown fur covering heart. A flash of uncertainty appears in his grey eyes but he quickly resets his jaw and the look is gone.

I am Jasek the Blacktusk. I live to honor my forefathers and see our great Empire return to the prominence it once held. For the good of all my life is the Empire's to command. And if I am found pleasing in your eyes, brand my wrist so that I may be daily reminded of my promises.

With the he reaches out his right arm, palm held upward to receive the brand on the inside of his wrist.

An almost fey-like creature drifts forward on blue and purple gossamer wings, her voice is assured yet detached, as if she wasn't entirely here. "I am Aeryl, betrayed of the winds, may the Ascension of the Empire emerge from my fleshly being." She slides up a gauzy piece of purple cloth covering her upper arm, she presents it to the marker.

Charek Norek

Taking a deep breath, Charek steps forward for his turn at the ceremony. He notices Yaggl looking at him. Like he didn't know quite what to make of him.

Charek was strange for a hobgoblin. He was tall and muscular, but he also possessed an almost feline-like grace. Even more odd was his face. His face was strangely, eerily attractive. The angular cheek and jaw line was almost elven. A finely chisled nose sat below the coldest palest blue eyes. Eyes so pale a shade of blue it was hard to stare directly into them. His coal black hair was pulled back, to form a tail in the center of his broad back. Stripped to the waist his shoulders, chest and arms were covered in large steel-like cords of muscle. Newly made leather breeches covered his massive legs.

If he had said that he was not afraid, he would have been lying. Nontheless he strode forward, as confident as the rest.

Once again the voice boomed:

NarlethDrider said:

"I am Taeg, the marker of heroes, the executioner of fools. Who seeks the honor to be a seeker's blade. Speak the path to your destiny."

Click to expand...

"I am Charek Norek, son of Brekan Norek, son of Traksij Norek, son of Karviil Norek, son of Kamvuul Norek, the Great Dhakaani Slayer of Illithids. I would see the Empire rise once again. If this could be made so through my blood and sweat...so be it."

NarlethDrider said:

"Where do you want to bear the mark of your pledge?"

Click to expand...

" If you will have me, I would take the Mark on my shoulder."

With that he stands before the being known as Taeg, waiting for his judgement.

A sage green form stalks from the line. " I am Eqastra , a scaled one. I do pledge my powers to the Empire, and to the coalition of creatures against Lhesh Haruuc. My destiny is to deal death to my foes from the shadows."


The lizardman presents his back to the ghastly form and points to his lower back.

"Place the mark here, at the strongest point of my body, where the tail meets the spine. Place it there so i may support the Empire with all my strength."

As the iron is placed against his skin, you can smell burning flesh and scale. The lizardman grimaces in pain, but does not make a sound.

When it is done, he walks gingerly back into the line.

I'd like to get into this PbP game if it has just recently started. If not, can you point me in the right direction to find a PbP game?
Thank you -