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[5E] The Age of Worms - Solid Snake's Campaign
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<blockquote data-quote="SolidSnake_01" data-source="post: 7508409" data-attributes="member: 63254"><p><strong><u>Gray Fox Journal: Diamond Lake</u></strong></p><p></p><p>It didn’t take us long to reach Diamond Lake, or more precisely, what was left of it. The dragon was almost surgical in its destruction, not the work of a mindless beast. Still, the real victims in these types of conflicts were always the same: the villagers. I could see them shuffling about as the Garrison attempted to demonstrate the facade of certainty. But even these trained soldiers looked lost. And why shouldn’t they be? A single creature had rendered their carefully trained security force impotent in a single day. What would the citizenry think? This dragon had done more than level a few buildings, it had shaken this town’s faith in its Institutions. The damage would take much longer to repair.</p><p></p><p>Jordan and I must have had an air about us, because we were confronted by an especially gaunt and frightened-looking soldier by the name of Leif. It isn’t often that I am contacted so openly by my employers, but the hysteria around us was probably sufficient to shield our conversation.</p><p></p><p>“Sir, I am sent by Elgios to inform you that there is a change in plans,” he said to us. “I was told that men fitting your description would arrive today and that I was to escort you to the Whispering Cairn to deliver the package to Allustan’s apprentice, Egan.”</p><p></p><p>I stared intently at the the man as I spoke. “Where is Allustan,” I asked. I was wrong in my initial assessment of Leif. He was pale and he appeared nervous, but he was not afraid. I know what fear looks like and he didn’t have it.</p><p></p><p>“He is dead sir,” Leif replied. “Crushed by a collapsing building.”</p><p></p><p>“Then show me the body,” I responded.</p><p></p><p>I noticed that Jordan was not paying attention to what we were saying, but he was fixated on this man and something nearby.</p><p></p><p>“The Garrison is trying to clear the debris, but it will take time.”</p><p></p><p>“Jordan, could you keep our friend company while I determine our course of action,” I asked. When you lose your way, go back to the beginning. The man nodded and began his distraction.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, I contacted Councilman Chozik to get some answers. I wished the Sending Stone went directly to Elgios, but alas he was not the one who was employing me. The politician was as useful as I thought he might be. He suggested that I make contact with Allustan’s apprentice to give him the case and see if there were any artifacts of note in the Cairn that could be recovered. I reported that the Mines were completely intact, but that the Smelting House had been damaged in the attack. In hindsight, I wished I had kept that portion of the assessment to myself because Chozik wanted a detailed report.</p><p></p><p>As I came back to the group, I noticed something curious. Jordan had placed his hand upon Leif’s shoulder, a pale blue light suffusing the man’s body. The soldier jumped a bit.</p><p></p><p>“I am well sir,” he stammered.</p><p></p><p>“Of that, I am not certain,” Jordan stated. “Lead us to where you believe Allustan’s body to be.”</p><p></p><p>Leif nodded and the three of us began our trek through the devastation. The streets were all but deserted in this section of Diamond Lake and that is why it became so obvious that it was Jordan who was leading us and not Leif. I had pondered questioning the man, but decided against it. The nobleman weaved his way through the alleyways and the rubble until finally we came upon a larger building. I was about to ask where he was taking us when the wall we were facing exploded outward, revealing a floating ghostly apparition. Debris swirled about it as it wailed in agony. Looking around, I seemed to be the only person concerned about these turn of events. Jordan was not. He strode over to the spectre and rolled up the sleeve of his silken shirt to reveal an elaborate tattoo of a chain wrapped around his forearm. It glowed an unearthly red as he raised his palm towards the creature and spoke in Infernal again. The spectre’s outward pain subsided and the debris swirling about it hovered, motionless. It followed Jordan like a docile pet. Strange, but useful.</p><p></p><p>Not wanting to be in the village much longer, I asked Leif to lead us to the Smelting House. </p><p></p><p>“It is very dangerous sir. The fire has come alive.”</p><p></p><p>Perfect.</p><p></p><p>Leif was right. We came upon a hellish scene. The Garrison had created a fire-line in an attempt to save the surrounding buildings from the conflagration. Near the shore of the lake, an elven woman was weaving magic to divert the effluent from the water. It seemed to be taking all of her concentration to save that polluted ecosystem from any further trauma. But that wasn’t the worst part. A roiling mass of pitch was devouring members of the Garrison as they fought the blaze. It dissolved soldiers with a touch, growing larger as it consumed them. I was going to suggest a strategy, but Jordan had plans of his own. He and his poltergeist made quick work of the ooze without sustaining any visible injury. Impressive.</p><p>________________________</p><p></p><p>Diamond Lake disappeared behind us as we climbed the slope towards the Cairn. The smoky, acrid air that clung to the village was washed away by the elevation. Although I was happy to leave the smoldering ruins behind, what we found was not all that much more inviting. Near a small copse of trees, a crater had been formed by the body of a black dragon. It had clearly fell from a great height judging by the impact. Around the the fallen creature were a group of chanting black-scaled kobolds. The ones performing the ritual were being guarded by more heavily armed members of their tribe. I acted without thought; the Transcendent Order would have been proud.</p><p></p><p>I closed the distance with the nearest guard, wrapping him up with my arm while I unslung the crossbow from my belt and emptied the contents into one of the nearby shamans. The poison took effect quickly, constricting his muscles and stifling his ability to speak. This ended the ritual and allowed Jordan and his new friend to systematically butcher the remaining enemy force. I kept one of alive for interrogation, but not before he could signal his companions with a magical flare. What surprised me the most was Leif’s recklessness during the battle. The enigma became clear to me once the conflict had ended. The ghostly apparition of Allustan emerged from the possessed soldier and disintegrated the body of Ithane. Leif finally seemed like himself, awaking from a long slumber. It was a tragedy that he became self-aware moments before Jordan cut him down. I trust every man, just not the devil inside them. Jordan truly was alone. Whomever he had made his bargain with had all but ensured it.</p><p></p><p>Attempting to remain calm in the midst of the madness, I tried to make good on my word. “Allustan, I have a package from your companion Elgios. May I leave it with you?”</p><p></p><p>The ghost looked almost confused for a moment, straining to cling to a life he had lost. “No. My time is at an end. Bring it to Egan. He is at the Cairn.”</p><p></p><p>I nodded and looked over to Jordan. He was wrestling for control of himself. “Whenever you make it back Jordan, we have to leave. They have signaled for reinforcements and our position is compromised.” He knew what followed, I didn’t need to say it aloud. I wonder if he was hoping for death, instead of dealing with the choices he made. I let him stare at the boy’s body for far too long before we left.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SolidSnake_01, post: 7508409, member: 63254"] [B][U]Gray Fox Journal: Diamond Lake[/U][/B] It didn’t take us long to reach Diamond Lake, or more precisely, what was left of it. The dragon was almost surgical in its destruction, not the work of a mindless beast. Still, the real victims in these types of conflicts were always the same: the villagers. I could see them shuffling about as the Garrison attempted to demonstrate the facade of certainty. But even these trained soldiers looked lost. And why shouldn’t they be? A single creature had rendered their carefully trained security force impotent in a single day. What would the citizenry think? This dragon had done more than level a few buildings, it had shaken this town’s faith in its Institutions. The damage would take much longer to repair. Jordan and I must have had an air about us, because we were confronted by an especially gaunt and frightened-looking soldier by the name of Leif. It isn’t often that I am contacted so openly by my employers, but the hysteria around us was probably sufficient to shield our conversation. “Sir, I am sent by Elgios to inform you that there is a change in plans,” he said to us. “I was told that men fitting your description would arrive today and that I was to escort you to the Whispering Cairn to deliver the package to Allustan’s apprentice, Egan.” I stared intently at the the man as I spoke. “Where is Allustan,” I asked. I was wrong in my initial assessment of Leif. He was pale and he appeared nervous, but he was not afraid. I know what fear looks like and he didn’t have it. “He is dead sir,” Leif replied. “Crushed by a collapsing building.” “Then show me the body,” I responded. I noticed that Jordan was not paying attention to what we were saying, but he was fixated on this man and something nearby. “The Garrison is trying to clear the debris, but it will take time.” “Jordan, could you keep our friend company while I determine our course of action,” I asked. When you lose your way, go back to the beginning. The man nodded and began his distraction. Meanwhile, I contacted Councilman Chozik to get some answers. I wished the Sending Stone went directly to Elgios, but alas he was not the one who was employing me. The politician was as useful as I thought he might be. He suggested that I make contact with Allustan’s apprentice to give him the case and see if there were any artifacts of note in the Cairn that could be recovered. I reported that the Mines were completely intact, but that the Smelting House had been damaged in the attack. In hindsight, I wished I had kept that portion of the assessment to myself because Chozik wanted a detailed report. As I came back to the group, I noticed something curious. Jordan had placed his hand upon Leif’s shoulder, a pale blue light suffusing the man’s body. The soldier jumped a bit. “I am well sir,” he stammered. “Of that, I am not certain,” Jordan stated. “Lead us to where you believe Allustan’s body to be.” Leif nodded and the three of us began our trek through the devastation. The streets were all but deserted in this section of Diamond Lake and that is why it became so obvious that it was Jordan who was leading us and not Leif. I had pondered questioning the man, but decided against it. The nobleman weaved his way through the alleyways and the rubble until finally we came upon a larger building. I was about to ask where he was taking us when the wall we were facing exploded outward, revealing a floating ghostly apparition. Debris swirled about it as it wailed in agony. Looking around, I seemed to be the only person concerned about these turn of events. Jordan was not. He strode over to the spectre and rolled up the sleeve of his silken shirt to reveal an elaborate tattoo of a chain wrapped around his forearm. It glowed an unearthly red as he raised his palm towards the creature and spoke in Infernal again. The spectre’s outward pain subsided and the debris swirling about it hovered, motionless. It followed Jordan like a docile pet. Strange, but useful. Not wanting to be in the village much longer, I asked Leif to lead us to the Smelting House. “It is very dangerous sir. The fire has come alive.” Perfect. Leif was right. We came upon a hellish scene. The Garrison had created a fire-line in an attempt to save the surrounding buildings from the conflagration. Near the shore of the lake, an elven woman was weaving magic to divert the effluent from the water. It seemed to be taking all of her concentration to save that polluted ecosystem from any further trauma. But that wasn’t the worst part. A roiling mass of pitch was devouring members of the Garrison as they fought the blaze. It dissolved soldiers with a touch, growing larger as it consumed them. I was going to suggest a strategy, but Jordan had plans of his own. He and his poltergeist made quick work of the ooze without sustaining any visible injury. Impressive. ________________________ Diamond Lake disappeared behind us as we climbed the slope towards the Cairn. The smoky, acrid air that clung to the village was washed away by the elevation. Although I was happy to leave the smoldering ruins behind, what we found was not all that much more inviting. Near a small copse of trees, a crater had been formed by the body of a black dragon. It had clearly fell from a great height judging by the impact. Around the the fallen creature were a group of chanting black-scaled kobolds. The ones performing the ritual were being guarded by more heavily armed members of their tribe. I acted without thought; the Transcendent Order would have been proud. I closed the distance with the nearest guard, wrapping him up with my arm while I unslung the crossbow from my belt and emptied the contents into one of the nearby shamans. The poison took effect quickly, constricting his muscles and stifling his ability to speak. This ended the ritual and allowed Jordan and his new friend to systematically butcher the remaining enemy force. I kept one of alive for interrogation, but not before he could signal his companions with a magical flare. What surprised me the most was Leif’s recklessness during the battle. The enigma became clear to me once the conflict had ended. The ghostly apparition of Allustan emerged from the possessed soldier and disintegrated the body of Ithane. Leif finally seemed like himself, awaking from a long slumber. It was a tragedy that he became self-aware moments before Jordan cut him down. I trust every man, just not the devil inside them. Jordan truly was alone. Whomever he had made his bargain with had all but ensured it. Attempting to remain calm in the midst of the madness, I tried to make good on my word. “Allustan, I have a package from your companion Elgios. May I leave it with you?” The ghost looked almost confused for a moment, straining to cling to a life he had lost. “No. My time is at an end. Bring it to Egan. He is at the Cairn.” I nodded and looked over to Jordan. He was wrestling for control of himself. “Whenever you make it back Jordan, we have to leave. They have signaled for reinforcements and our position is compromised.” He knew what followed, I didn’t need to say it aloud. I wonder if he was hoping for death, instead of dealing with the choices he made. I let him stare at the boy’s body for far too long before we left. [/QUOTE]
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