They fight
Never even questioned,the killing sprees of heinous realm gaurds,and their premise of true colcades to the Queen aforded by lavishly over paid high gaurds and ‘slavors’(those whom stole away with frail or young to sell to alternate lands for acts of peace deigned by the heighness),could easily rip apart a family who’s name was belittled in the eyes of a dutchess or loyal knight.The screaming agony of these days of lore were alltogether made refined and true with the changing of seasons,such simpleton villagers thinking they could make about the soundless tamping of the snows that covered the all of living places,and their grounds.A truimph of evil’s course,made sensationalized with the preening vision of dibulets of blood,scattered on the white calm surface,a trail of drenched suffuse,slayings liquid virtue an art into the wonder of winters
powdery gift to the earth.
All hails and traces of goudy rile and the luster of partying village denizens,could feal the claim of the freed land when winter turned it’s winds of freeze and petals of licking frost to the realm Atheina,and these days the reminder was seen mostly as a blessing lost in the disguise of what had layde claim in the past as a curse.Shallower even than the miscue of hope and revelation that all was better,and that soon maybe even within the next year a new ruler may take effectively the soveirgnty,and begin a brittle yet supported confidence for those amongst the weary and loyal,those who knew that every place within these magical,mystical lands needed a support from such sources;was the
content fealing laying unseen and maladroit with eyes of strength and desire to make life again a flurry of glory and power-the seekers-the warriors-the chosen defectors from shackles of rule in the past-the harbingers of war yet truth.These untamed lot of souls had the traces of greatness bestowed in them against the normal skiff and take of say a average knight or simpleton scorcerer,these mighty people were the trusted,loved and unted at the same time.
Who could possibly be the sort to lash out and take hold of adventures disdain,fighting’s challenges and honours,routes to fine sails of truth and revielle.Alliyah the stormrider of doom,was just one such woman,little known by the meager masses,and often unseen at public places,her eyes gravitated to a fire’s cauldren with more desire for charisma and ammilioration than a thousand hearths at winters break.
The melloncholy difference between love and trust were like streaming creeks of ethereal presence when asked to perform,to free a slave or make true a war’s final win.The sliffs of vigorous black hair,upon her statused nap,for tattoed was a sign of war upon her face cheek,were kept astrite with a silver hairpin,and the gleaning gold upon the scabbard from eleven smiths,struck out to all who beheld her.The finest of cevias swords of the lands,one of warlocks,of demi-gods,of saints was fasioned with a blade that could never be dulled untill thrown into the fires of the ‘centre earth’.The gowns of lavish laces,yet tuffened sufferage to present a fine and great girl,layde crossed with velvets and strict leathur boots,hands fealing the worlds answers as if a ‘divination’by their presence alone,so sweet to look upon,as though the feeding roots to the tree of life or Layzon magics.Though one fetch from a quickened act of dextereity,and one movement of Alliyah with weapon and cunning,and the simple loves of flesh upon beholding her image were soon the gashed scoures of a wraith of terrible power letting lose the thunderous appeal to mightier swordfighters than mortals knew,and the swifting vice of a sword worked femme of love yet told,reaching to slaye and vanquish unlike that which could be spoken of by those of one language alone.
As night began to settle across the undarring village-city,the gatherers,workers,gaurds,and children flayed their days merits into the disarmament of
the well built housing.Metaled roofs brought across in sheets of might,against mortar with rafters holding structures aloft from the insides,scooned their way to adornments of vinery carving and miters that proclaimed a witness to a richer than average habitaul land.Atheina sold goods for many a traveller and harvested great fields of provides,these in turn held the people to chores and a sense of privelage about their place of living.Though winter could be a time of misfortune if it were a farming community alone,the metal smiths(elven of course,mostly),craftsmen(some with magical talents),and literaries triffled with their business in the warmth of firepit rooms,and with light wielding magical lanterns throughout the days.She was sullied about the respit of the home that had been given to her when peace had finally settled,the few visitors she had were the guard making sure she wasn’t responsible for a corpse or two that turned up every once in awhile,-or a humbled smithy smaking the front door upon sight of being a 4 ft drat when she opened the door,usually a refined and unkempt answer to the question of a new weapon purchase.
Creeping around the alley way and making to the main fareway,she swept to the entrance of the pub that scally wag ruffians or sorts closer to her heart found drinking and entertainment at.The response of being sighted for an escue character such as herself in the winters night was sometimes far worse than the occasional disscusions with the guard.No extra coat or timely scarf yet,she gladly met the appeal of the alivened fire placated main room,with wooden tables and benches running across the 100 ft space,and a bar,tricked with thousands of mugs and bottles-lay across the back.The place rarely suffered a ravaging when a wartime brawl of disagreeing warriors took hold,as precious were some of the wares sported at the back,to be sure,and of course for the overlookers for the establishment;3 half-orc fighters,lost from a shunning of their kind when in the last march to retake the city found many of them helping in the task and their brute strength being a great help durring the rebuilding of,all that now was there in the city.
“hail Alliyah,such beauty and evil rarely visits at first winters snow fall!”-Kiazo the bartending half-orc called to her swiping a glass for wine as she entered and looking in mistruth about which bottle of the many of the accesable and liquid providing he should bring forth for this human friend.
“no,I don’t want ole Le Fweest,or Chatue de Elthwintel Keep,make it an Atheina special and maybe we shall rant this evening afterall”-she playfully answered as most didn’t pay attention,and sword at her side she set at a stool,and brushed a smudge free place for him to set the glass.
“ha ha ,sure as it does to see you scaffing me before the first words,…I’ll still gladly offer the first on the house”-he answered as spining about to the front and taking his hand from his chin to pour the favor,a smile across the muggy,yet harsh and friendly look,and a smile from Alliyah as well.
“well that does it friend,I am set to leave this bizaare remanance of wars bane,and find place in the real world,soon when I find a proper ride-I’ll be leaving…for good”she squaked to him motionless yet in a trail of words sent with ferver.
“so,…me think you can’t be the keeper of two lives…if you must….you must…..aughghmghmph…”-Kiazo didn’t respond with anger,yet a strange resolve was certainly visible to her,she knew him better than most.
“be it my interest to ask,what does it matter anyway…you won’t miss me…will you”
“no of course,there’s no reason to think that-I’m brave and an adventurer,I’ve faught dragons slayed trolls,-hell even broke my way out of a true-orc prison-“
“you don’t look half-orc-“
“aauh well,that’s true I’m not really but I put it in my charter as a citizen so I could get benefits if there were any”
“a bold move-I’ve slayne foes as well,and now I must again”
“good,I’ll enjoy a fresh splattering of blood across the axe myself-“
“what axe-you can’t have two lives either –isn’t that what you just preached to me”she leaned in swirling the half filled glass and taking a bemirked and childish slipping sip.
“no-just you and me and uhh and elf-that’d be good,lot’s of gold with elves their good luck”he answered making the mutual calling being approached in their subconciousnes’s
the favour of lightness and availability.
“ah ha!so a true fighter you are,and my leaving has you stormed on and on that we can go together…I should never have told you about this last year”she knew that the words spoken at the time could be a terrible pinch,if a solo mission was made more clear when she did go.
“well no,I know you are a strong girl,I just want to …have a say in the world beyond,and with no resourcefull human girl with bright eyes fine sleek black hair and a twirling sword- none thus could be achieved”he troust and maligned the words and arm over arm quarter turned from her ‘snout’ to the air.
She was getting blissed,the final drink,of which three glasses had been made for,allowed her instinct in these matters to set her straight.Friends are what life’s about,cold nights spent alone in her hut-well house but it was cold,and dilly daly festivals spent hunting down wild game for the villagers,lonely nights at this very pub,Kaizo trying to win an armwrestling match or dwarf tossing going on in the next room.This could be a best suited trip beyond with just such a fighter…beastman…orc.Hey but the pence to pound made sense,just a bit short on scorcery they’d be unless….she liked the idea afterall and Kaizo was miffed no answer yet,looking to her quickly and wondering about it.
“yes-let’s see if there are some wizard elf with witty spells to match our prowess in the field of blading-great axe friend-you may join me tommorow at the town market,a plan has been issued-goodnight”she slurred a bit,and slaggered her way to the door,a few laughs semmed to sneer at the proud girl,and Kaizo wasted no thoughts on the greatness of being now a certainty of his,making a gleer at questionables-as if don’t even try.
The trail to Tethreceine
The always well stalked and crowded marketplace area,left it’s openly image in winter’s girth for favour of a tarp cover,less visitors and virtually no celebration.Streched across the 5o some places for business,little booths and stands,some with several display area’s,the leathuer sewn tarp could hold a foot of snow fallen untill a little one,or some act of sorcery could swipe the icey blanket away.Today the snow fell for one of the first times,and unlike usual,several gaurds were looking about in interest,scouting,trailing,a defiled merchant?a thief?a fugitive?Alliyah watched them question the old housewares couple,that wore the same colored nap and face scarves and spoke in three languages so as it was sure they were part of the greater amount of business.The wife laughed at the gaurds second remark,and quickly and shouting two children,a boy and a girl went running to the discussioners.With a suttle pat on the shoulders and a briskened walk to a small hole in the tarp,a rope was unhooked and the two kids with flat grovel shovels accepted a coin each and went to work.
“hmmph Kaizo what is taking you’re presumptious orc arse….i need to be at the “her words softly spoken to herself were broken when Kizao stepped to her and spoke.
“there there,am I late,looks like all is well,what are we doing here ms Alliyah?”he announced himself in cheer,and for the first time she saw his ‘battle’ armour and axe,with a covering coat about them,still though the leauther and chain looked strange from what she saw.
“oh how I loathe late skates…despite this-follow me,we shall find an elf today who thinks to be strong enough for our tasks”Alliyah sold the tribute of the airs in innocence to her orc friend,and as elusive as what their jouney was to be,the need for a conjurer with stamina,gut,and free will was to be found.
There at the front of a structure of three stories and décor with metal trimmed windows that were boarded,upon a plaque stated ‘ye elven guild of atheina’.She was certain of one matter,this was the place to shop,however what sort they could find was in question,certainlyu theives at atheives guild might produce results,and fighters at a ‘black knights’ stronghold may find answers to fearsomeness,howver just the same her confidence about the new turn of events was invoked.Opening the door without a knock she beheld 4 elves two in robes sitting beholding a glph.It was magical and hastily scatching to make an image,that of the catle in atheina it appeared,and one of robed elves looked over his shoulder and stood.
“hello,you have matters here today?”he asked with hand in hand covered by sleeves.
“uh..yes…well actaully my friend and I Kaizo”she stated as he stepped in.
“ahh yes the tavern tender…what brings you here then”he continued to ask lamely.
“we’ve been advised that our journey will require the help of a wizard,one who is strong worty and ….elven…do you have any?”she answered this time with lack of insighted words.
“hmm…what exactly are you saying,you wish to hire a conjuror to aide you with a task,that is no frail money,sweet human woman,the price is”
“please,please good senior mage,the reasons are tenfold and may take half the day to speak of,and we must be on our way,the gold will be good”Kiazo spoke this time,letting the macho image of the orc side of himself settle this.
“well ok,let’s see…there’s Keff no too young,or myself,but actaully I’m not too sure I wish any problems with the winter weathers,ahhh that’s it but of course,I know who wishes to find the fancifull vanityies of travel from the realm…Chealsoroy Kavendark,that’s it…a perfect match I do think…please sir down over here while I see if that wild troll is about”
They were seated in the corner as the glyph visioning ended,and the sorcerers were calm and unmoved by whatever it was they were looking for.The elf spoken to had gone through a doorway and several mkomkents later a crashing and clanging was heard then a storming of steps upon the plank floor.There entering the room an elf,Chealsoroy,nearly tripped in excitement,with a sword across his chest as if in salute,and a pack with metal potions attached over his shoulder.studying the room,he found the two,and walked to them tapping the sword to his chest.
“hail,hail…a fine day in Atheina,however as you say so I’m told a finer day it will be to get beyond this begrouched,half witted,borring- ahh well anyway,I am Chealsoroy,the wizard and fighter extrodiniare,and will volunteer for a mission”Chealsoroy,was a fairly tall elf in the mid twenties for human age,and had medium straight black hair,brown eyes,and a black robe with a curling snake bracelet over one arm,and on the other(the sleeves were shortened) a tattoo of the insignia that represented the Atheina army durring war.
This was the prayer made resolved,the hopes of a true fighter,or magician,yes…Alliyah could tell they had done well to search this place.The funny attitude with light flusters of no patience and a tattoo,as she had as well,and accompanyment of an orc…did just add into the trio.This spotted her for a respectable answer,scince all was well.
“good,very good, we may be one short,however I’m certain that we can find the missing one for this task,and be off from –borring Atheina quite soon,-..oh excuse me I’m Alliyah,sometimes known as Alliyah the stormrider of doom,a tale of which’s namesake I’ll save for anotherday,and this is-“
“yes Kiazo-of course,you’ve probably seen me and my blackered girlfriends at the tavern,you know how it is,can’t keep one of ‘em alltogether when a warrior has to make a way in life,pleased to meet Alliyah,I’m sure that you can find this extra person we’re looking for,shall we.”Chealsoroy,was easily cut into the mediun of elves known as wild,and for but a nature of class less tried than were the orc and stormrider,there may have been some serious doubts.
As they made their way about with flakes of winter’s triumph of temperature taking to the towne,Alliyah led them to the perimeter next to a church of sorts.Standing against the city wall,the crafted hall of warship was indeed an uncommon sight,with gargoyls and strange writing upon it,the stained glass windows were all dark,and had images of the moon and sun,while multiple seems were cleaved to and fro making it an example of finer architecure.One who beheld it for the first time may have wandered if the clerics who founded it,as such that it was,were evil,or involved with the conjuring of demons for rights of religion that told ghastly tales of begotton triumph.
“ha ha ha , ha ha ha”Chealsoroy laughed as he looked at the place she had brung them to,and took in the sight with pleasure,obviousley with no disdain for forbidden magics,this group leader was certainly a fearsome witch of some kind.
“well,this is the church that often finds more …brilliant clerics seeking respince from the world,or other acts of fealty to sources of heaven that may be unwanten by the more commenly-shall we”she preempted as they followed her into the grande front arched chapel room.
Tapestries of silk with sorcery written in great wordings like spells,strewn across walls,and a statue of a nude goddess of bronze at the altar,made the truth about the outside as deftly imposing upon the inside.The benches looked unused,and three females sat at the front with opened books,perhaps praying,or learning new spells,ones that were strong it may have been wise to assume,given the nature of the church.An oil chandelier with black wings settled across with silver work was hastened to the ceiling with a rope,that had a tug for hieght grappled to the wall,and shadows bickered in delight off the columns and an eery solitude tuffened the maligned place of religion,strangely enough still remaining in the towne.
“hello,is there a…a representative here..we’re looking for a person who might find the travels abroad and tasks a …(she looked to the two escue)…religious triumph?”finally making the words for an enticement spoken to the three woman.
“hmmm….Alliyah stormrider of doom,say you now as ever has been preached for the destiny of a fate to be fufilled,as spoken of by Treaz the summoner,a destiny of which all the lands will be greatfull,indeed you have chosen well to seek my guidance”-suprizingly the dark haired brunette with frail features and an attitude in her voice of reprimand and experience,made a staggering response,as they stood waiting for Alliyah to be witted.
“my friend,I know that such strange proclamations make their way at every turn of those who commit to finding grace in martyrdom of valiance to freedom,and such that I have done so when Atheina was last at war,this may be done,-however once again we must travel,perhaps you will join us as well,our destiny is(again looking to her two friends,which now they were to know of one answer to this charade)Tethreceine”Alliyah spoke the name of a dungeon,that few knew of,but those who had sources that were greater than most,allowed the passing of this name;a certain fear it conjured,and a certain taste of death it responded with when those who were ignorant thought they could seek it’s treasures when secrets of it’s existance fell into the ignorants hands.
“Tethreceine!my god!quick light the candles,make true all that is faith,..i should have known when questioned the illumination of sufferage about this when we met!”Chealsoroy answered first in a certain excitement,being sarcastic in reserve,yet more declaring a warning.
The cleric woman,stood,and closed the book she was entranced in as in turn,she made a blank and worrisome stare of the three before her,and turning she patted the two others on the bench once,as if a farewell I must go lament,and spoke finally as they wondered what was to be of this.
“so spoken,so it shall be done…I am Xiena Treaz,daughter of Treaz,and advocate to Alliyah the stormrider of doom and her companions from now on”
A S O D
As the treck began it’s mortifying first portences,the group of three were well bound with winter clothes and the three mounts carried all that might be needed.The cold wisps fell abruptly at times licking stings of the fosty laments of natures call durring this season,and snow was brushed aside every so often in regaurd of the warmth shed,for melting across the bare area of the rides skin,the cold then found itself turning to liquid that grasped as ice,an unbearable measure if they were to keep themselves and the horses in good health.Feutal speech passed between them once or twice in a hushing snowfall,but not much was important lest the value of the campsite alltogether be the only goal,-perhaps a warning was at least in their suplicant of expectations for words.Finally they did reach sundown and the campfire was set under a 15 ft tent over cover,the three horses were sat underneath as well,and the cold could be scaled away to the nights meal,and interests.
“well,there isn’t much to say about Tethreceine,it once was a invocational chamber area for the dark troll armies that were sent durring the wars that saw Zatiff enthroned,and the relics there hold significance to me,there were many fine warriors and spellcasters lost within the labrynthe as the final battle seiges cost many lives…though you said yourselves ypu understood the nature of this quest.”Aliiyah adressed them and motioned her respectives to Chealsoroy and Xiena.
“as times have forgotton the ways of war…though of course such scouts and free agents as yourself still reside within the city scince the queens dismissal,most common people,the uncorrupted denizens,have little interest in the history of such fiasco’s,though I must say that,my fears of undead souls –lycenthriopes,liche’s,and trolls of course,have been causing me much thought scince I accepted.”Xenia was not an avid adventurer,though Kiazo and Alliyah had plenty of time in situations of war,or personal journey’s.
“nay to you all-then,what good does the fever burning to our own souls do when the bargging starys from the more interestsing ideas…let’s say piles of corpses swathed by a single dashing of wrathing bladework….good Alliyah I know you’re smiling about that…or icons found after dashing spells of great candor to expell undead preists who don’t understand what it means to rival with the daughter of Treaz…the great…and summoned entities of unbeknownst strength,tackled to the ground and skulls cracked open by a mighty axe,while their master awaits the last slice ending it’s own life…eh…huhn that’s it now Kiazo,-and me,I’m little more than pounding my way with spells of untold worth to glory and treasure”
“well said…mage…who carries a sword,I doubt we shall here much more complaint from the child bearers….ha ha ha “Kiazo placed the words in mulled aftermath,and though it funny.
The next day they finally found themselves looking into the valley of the Cords,a plaace that had many stange mithral qualities form the inner earth that boiled across poolets in places.Sentient mist was furled into swaths that chastized and swooned to thin air,roiling from the strange colourfull maliages.Depleted from any use from years of fear to walk the valley,they looked forlorned and a sign that magics course was once evil in this place.The three companions stopped before making there way across,perhaps thinking one might have a stay of concerns in truthfull words,however-they soon continued and breached from the snowey forest unto the wasteland before them.The eyes of wicked furry’s like changling deities frought with schemes of conjuring,reflected the notion from taking in any one scoal burst,and the warmth provided by them was unsetteling at best.The horse gawked at the passing that fell to close to one,and finally Alliyah broke the intrepid disdain felt by the visions.
“I believe the worths of magic from the place are still looking for a lord of the fabrics of spell weaving to cunduct them to fearsome might ,shed into the arts once again the land will yield praise,or perhaps unwanted evils of wisdom if any should try,what say you Chealsoroy?”she asked after making vicious bid of the be all instilled in the magi-torn enviorenment.
“no,there’s no telling what exactly the elements from under earth have uses for at this type of luster,I dare say as you’ve-evil,not my taste,though I may take a sample,yes that might be a good idea.”with that Chealsoroy claimed a stop of the group,and jumped to work,getting the effusings of near boiling liquid shed of greens,yellows,and purple into an empty potion flask,and sealed it with a burning wax,that which was often the need when acids or dangerous devestating conjurations of liquid were contained;finaly weilded to look about in awe.The words of ‘defiled’ arts of dangerous spell weavers claimed a part of the subconcious mind.Bitter cold could not hide that these plains and abnormalities were the sources of spellwork that harrowed to levels of warship that refined themselves with demons and evil gods from the Abysall planes.
“we should find the days journey leads us ti that lip at the end of this valley-am I not right”Kiazo jisted,as they made about half the distance of the nefarious grounds.
“there are only a few who I have spoken to who have crossed this place,let us hope that there isn’t any true reasons for that”Xeina produced an answer first,and the rest stayed speachless,and they continued on.
They settled the nights shelter,and fires-making work of the last fresh meat for a grande stew and drank from a flask of Athenian wine,selling themselves on the roth of the mission in a drunken flavour.Atheina was not a peacefull towne,and Kiazo bargged to them of having clipped the wings of dragons and dousting out the hearts of trolls when the city was reclaimed.Alliyah told them of how she was saved from a storming of flying demon like creatures by a dragon,and had saught an indepandant life,a life force that saw her travel beyond a great many realms,making through storms of magic and firey and freezing weathers,thus the name Alliyah stormrider of doom.Xenia promised to fight her way through this dungeon if the others wished to be strong in their resolve,and Chealsoroy commended them all,and stayed the evenings conversation with a thanks that they were not badgered or killed when making their way that day across the magityne pools.
A S O D Tethreceine
They marveled at the freedom placed on their creedance and chimera,the lovely land was a second heaven in passing un attended snowey reaches,that even wildlife at times was nary a chinook to the sweet calm.Thunder sounded once,and snowfall met the bestranged call of a ‘wilder’ hawk once,but easily the subdueing effects of the sole sentient party of biengs in these places was allowing for glamorous insight.Alliyah knew herself at times when independence from the wholeness of the catacombs of people was,kept away,and she flew as the hawk may have,in divinity of the hunter,the prey nor alive-surmised as a colder flight of valkyrie the individual could,she thought,make stern the courts of gods and wicked minnion keepers,shedding doctrines of prowess,and contemplation;who ever was so lucky as to make such passages untouched by all before times of war were granted a gift.The lip beyond the field of nether skoals layed them on a route through evergreens,then as the borders of Atheina,regular southern oaks,and Layzon trees,biting against winter with fearsome hides,gathered about the journeyers.A night spent camping when the path had dissapeared,and they used inner faiths,and Xeina’s ability to call forth dungeon membranes,and discover their locations-helped the roughened forested pace.Finaly after two nights,beyond the first two spent,and hiking past a few low hills,they found the dungeon entrance,as evergreens were once again the ground statues of snow catching gaurdians,for the final few miles.
The front remains of what once may have been a gated arch entrance,was scaffed,and the features removed by years of weather.Signs that were used to ward off higher powers,glyphes conjured through them to illuminate unwanten vistors,those of doctrines of good were more present in it’s history than it’s physical appearance.The forewarning that decaying bodies,most certainly skeletons,and rigormortis bringing bayne through the halls,was implied when they realized the sight and approached.The task of searchng through a forgotton place such as this could not be taken lightly,and stilled revenance of doling out fatal strikes on undead,and breathing the mirths of stale air,were the just the short of what could be expected.
“I will send a prayer for our safety,and we can go inside”Xeina turned from dreamy speculation to the here and now first,and the three set from their rides and allowed the littanies of the cleric to wash them,a few supplies taken,they stood finally at the hall of enthronement to Techreceine.
“what little faith I have,Xenia Treaz,I hope you were able to bring about,for what we do now is maybe a greater judgement of our souls and grander show of skill that what any of us may have ever known”Chealsoroy,keeping a few items,especially potions,was the most layden with supplies,and in final contemplation the sword of compliment to powers of the arts was taken,and they made their way with torches lit into the first chamber.
This calm atmosphere was soon disturbed by the awfull sounds of screethcing.The blasts of dishevelled sounds could not be placed,though as they took on their implements for attack the presence was getting closer.Kiazo spun about,using the axe to justify a staggering manuver that brought a wild action,and there a mist formed entity was lurching in,set to strike at him.The axe cut the strange form,and another more demeaning shriek was cast out from it,the girth of the metal in friction was obviousley enough to hurt it,though wether weapons were enough to kill such an elemental form,was uncertain.They had unleashed the wrath of a Dungeon Prelafiend,and as the others made to take their own swipes at it,it lashed out and whipped wounds across every one of them,engauging an unseen might that left shallow slashes.Xeina knew what it was,a cartetaker of places layden with treasure,and often disbanded from the caster or creator,they searched for gold or treasure hunting parties,trying to steel what money was carried.
“I must cast a magic of dispelling air elemental-try to force it into a still”Xeina announced,while Alliyah had taken to side skirting it,occupied by the others- and swished her sword from a high arc,thinking to slash apart the unmaterial beast.
They considered how to make it easiest for the cleric to strike it with a tranforming spell,that in turn may make it a visible physical enemy,and slashable by weapons,and soon they each were dancing about to it’s sides making it waiver from the left to the right,while Xenia had a direct path to it from several feet away.Shggggshw-a sentient trickling mist like ray flew from the hands of Xeina into the cloud,and whipping about like a fluster of breeze broken smoke,it screamed again yet a another new comment,this time of fear and anger-and suddenly the form lay on the ground a pinkened fluff,of densified muck.With a few slashes the silence told the tale of first encounter won,and Xeina wondered inwardly if this creature had friends,for such a craft of unwarrented power as materialization took too much energy,and the survival of the group may be harrowed,in a stripped of counter spells flurry if the Prelafiends were awaiting.
“well done-I suspect that even scince you’re first deadly axe swipe the abbomination knew it was soon to meet it’s match”Alliyah stated,as without request,Xeina had created a glowing orb that passing over each member,sealed and cured their trails of slashes from mists of malignment.
“what skills,I dare say it takes to remember ones way from the depths of dungeons,I hope one of thee is the friend able to do so”Kiazo spoke as they made to the first hall at the back of the room,perhaps games of maze memorization were not the best of a bartending orc.
With no response it was assumed that this concern could wait for some time,Cheasoroy paused to smell the air as they found that doorways were now layne,5 at each side.
“this one,I think there’s-an interest shall I say..i don’t think it’s alive however”Chealsoroy opened the door,and cast the torch light into the 50 ft square room.
Shackled to the wall,rotting gnomes in platemail,that looked untouched as strangley as the dull black countanance they shed,were set into arm grasps chained high enough that their feet didn’t touch the floor.Smeared with their own blood across their faces,the soot was now a corroded after fact,and skeleton like shape was taken from their withering skin.
“oh….there are the remains of the gnome army of Vret,that thought they could kill a thousand trolls in the special armour of their gods,-that was entirely wrong”Xeina related the view’s history…and beguiled as the party was about the sight,they stepped closer to look about.
“gnomes,what silly god answers their requests anyway,certainly the trolls I fought had no fear of blessed smith work”Kiazo stated,while Alliyah set one of them on the ground,easily slipping the hands,which broke off from decay,from the clasps.
“better to have tried than let the cowardice of retreat be known –such was true of every realm at the time….Vret still stands,I have visited it,quite a beautifull towne”Alliyah knew of these gnomes and their attempt to defend the world with a siege on Tethreceine,but they had failed,and the image was a sorry clipping on their proud minds-though at least they could offer fire burial.
And so within a few taskings,they had set them in a pile,a marker written upon the floor by Xeina,and torches made the funeral pyre claim the unrested souls to a new place.The door creaked shut,Alliyah taking the last glimpse,and they realized that if so many fallen warriors were scattered about this could not be done as it should for all the corpses defiled by the deeds of the enemy,and unsent to a heaven for their kind.The other rooms that were revealed,held little interest,though a shelf of flasks,and a cauldren was found in one and Chealsoroy,took the time to thuroughly make certain that nothing good was there for the merits of this quest.That was certain by the last flask,however,in setting the empty potion glass back,he spotted a small trap door on the wooden shelf’s flat,and pushing at it several times it opened and there in careening mithral purple velvet a platinum ring with a jagged trilled orange crystal sat.
“I’ve got it….a beautifull magical ring…ha haa haaa thought I was stirring up the wrong cauldren….Xeina….(they had begun to leave,and were 50 ft down the hall)Xeina!”-his calling finally caused her to turn around and approach,and the other’s waited,not knowing what the commotion was about.
“ooooh,a platinum crystal fire ring,that is what you have mage friend,be carefull if you put it on,I’m not certain what langauge calls forth the spell,but it will be one of fire”Xeina handed the ring back to him,and he approached Alliyah and offered it to her.
“I think that’s quite a nice gift,thank you good elf,for the good of the lady friends-eyhe Kiazo”Alliyah tried it on and was astounded with it’s fresh look upon her finnesive leafy finger.
“good,good,a power word you say fine cleric,then it will be trollvish,gnomish or untzuhfeient,in all good respects,”Kaizo stated,priming the fact that the use of the item which was to be powerfull,was still a stab in the dark.
“’*****’,no’*****’,no-I fear I don’t know the untzuhfeienten word for fire,of course-“
“’******’”Chealsoroy provided that before she could ask,and fortuntely she had turned towards a wall when saying it,though before was nearly set at an angle that could have found her and the rest whiplashed from a deflecting burn from the wall.
Sure enough the word caused a quick zap of light to form on the ring,through the crystal and about the entirety,and a swath of fire,simple and true,though orange,as a measure that maybe the crystal was the source of it’s conjuring-flew forward starting it’s course a few feet from Alliyah herself,-and finally fell from their view as the hall carried into another room.The effect was dazzling,and simple work of enemies ignorant of this, or suseptable to fire was to be theirs,at for as much as the ring was powered for.
Tethreceine II
The altruistic approach to scanning the enviorns and Alliyah’s new confidence strattled there repetiore of taking a look through each door,and settleing the contents of occasional chests or other remenances of the once brilliant activities of Tehthreceine.The lingering blemishes of magical fires and corpses spent into nothingness for having bore the wrought of these incantations began to show themselves more and more upon a hall,untill stepping onto and over a clatter of skeletons strewn in a pile,-they had found another being in this god foresaken place.Tempered with artificial constructs of rafters,and a several stepped landing with a crude iron throne chair,torches of blue light cast a resonance of mirthy pallets of light,and the center of the room was lightly bled from complete darkness,there standing was a Semchaynis,in her lavish blue silken gowns with ruffles,and a low cut front about her chest.The glowing orb contained in her hands,ceased to be alive,and she turned calmly to the group,an anouncement she had expected.
“visitors to Tehreceine,ha!what god did you pray to for seasons and nought to end up in my home,hmmm fools answer me your goals!”
“we are from Atheina,and wish to serach Tethreceine for what remains as a memory of the wars”Alliyah spoke,as each had taken their weapon,and looked upon the ‘queens’ unkindly facial calling.
“well,I have no treasure,but if you must,you may try to take on that which remains as a memory as you say of the troll wars-I warn you much is still living,and there may be a fee if any items of interest are found”she retorted and walked to sit at her throne,setting the orb to the side,and claiming a concerned grip on her sceptre.
“I fear we are only as dangerous as we look,-fine queen,we will be on our way if you don’t mind”Chaelsoroy spoke,ascertaining the conversation was best left to a few simple words,and they followed Alliyah to one of the open halls at the right.
“wait!you shall make way to further reaches through this hall,I will be watching you,but don’t expect any favours”she cast her sceptre to the back wall to the right of the placate,and a hidden door opened.
They looked to eachother,Alliyah,considering blinding the offer and making straight through the hall before them,however,Kiazo followed Xeina towards it,and Chealsoroy made a lite bow and did so as well,and she finaly relented,making auspicious glances at the Semchaynis,as the keeper fained a smile,and knew that they should be an interesting sight to behold in her seeing eye crystal.
Alliyah was soon in the lead again,and the hall found steps that continued into the ground for 20 ft untill they were at a room,with a grande marble table.Though it was really more of an altar,bits of dried corroded body innards flaunted themsleves upon it,as a sereies of candleabra stands at the right,had dribbles of wax that covered their entirety,a place of ceremony beckoned them with interest.
“well,I hope that strange creature wasn’t lying,this looks as if it was the focus of ceremony,the body parts are-human and eleven I think,perhaps we should look carefully through this room”Alliyah suggested as they did so.
The candle wax appeared to be glittering on one of the stands,and Xeina taking time to scrap a bit off,smelled and tasted it.Blood of demons,fused into the melted qaugmire,the glitter was a standing blight of the anger fused by the calibrations made at the times of invocations.She took the stand and carried it to the altar,and they soon gathered about,wondering what the reasoning was.
“the stands may still bring forth a summons,though we may not be able to control the fearsome entity as their masters did,it may bring us a clue as to what can be found,or where to look”Xenia stated,as they agreed with her premise,and granted the idea of lighting the stand.
Set atop the altar,they had placed a ring of the withered remians about it before it was lit,and Xeina made a chanting ablution that was intended for ceremonies of this nature.Soon the air filled with a strangely breeze,but the flames did not falter one bit,the sound of a calling screaming from a demoness cut the air,and the other stands became lit on their own calling-spontaneous combustion,but a sign that the leverage of Xeina’s work was making a motion to bid an entity to the room.Eyes glowing in a golden hue broke from a small vapor cloud that had formed,while the breeze still scaffed about,the form also untouched as the candles,calling into the air,-the gleaming eyes fell upon the summoners,and a body began to form.First straining through the dimension portal,caloused dark wings with veiny leathur spans,and horns cropped at the ends,fell into the room-followed with churning fleshy scales,that swarmed with energy untill their true scale form was condensed-finally the face and other aspects glouted by a firey explosion transformed the semblances into the whole of a demoness,hovering in the air,without beatings her wings.Tear drops of liquid oozed their way off her body,like sweat glands appropriated for beings cast to a life in hell,and the strein of the enviornment seemed to pull the liquid from her membranes,invoking a certain discomfort,as she awaited a word or command.
“I have summoned you in truths and demands-you will answer questions of these dungeon halls,and will not lie”Xeina unsure as to how to gain the reward of a master and servant relation,tried simply being blatant.
“these are the rooms of Kelikor,wizard prime of Abysall summons,what petty weaklings dare to use this altar in his absence!”the demoness flapped once and darted forward now ten ft from the group.
“this is Tehreceine,and it has layde empty for many years,you’re master is dead,and we are you’re new masters,the rights of possesion of this place belongs to us now”Xeina again did the talking,the other’s at least twice as confused as to what could be done.
“hmmmm,yes this is true-but you are not the keepers of this place-however I am bid to do you’re service this time,but never again,I will seek a new summon keeper”
“how many levels are layne within here,and where are the most dangerous beasts”Alliyah asked losing sight of wether or not she was the one that was allowed for fear of spending to much time deliberating in front of this fearsome foe.
“there are 10 levels,this is only the second,the sources of power are changing,at times this very room was the center of divinations and summons,now-….now there are a great number of undead demons-straining to return to their home,trapped in a room with spellbindings at the altar of silver on the 4th level-they are the strongest left alive”she answered after streining as if to send her mind on a physcic journey.
“was there a treasure chamber-a place that items that were used when Tethreceine lived,these are valuable and we must find them”Xeina then asked the next question getting the jist from Alliyah,as certain she was that this was one of their main tasks.
“no….yes..no…..yes there are few lingering magic works bounded with the spells of the casters from Tethreceines days of glory,they may be dangerous-they may be powerfull,you may not be able to control or understand them…that is all I can say”she snarled a bit,a distastefull group of adventurers wanting feeble questions answered was not her idea of the merits of her presence.
“we have no further need of you-you may return thus to the sewers that spawned you”Xeina finally said in a more dogmatic fasion as master and servant should be,and the demoness simpley turned and dissappeared in a mist flurry of grey cover.
“nice –wise cleric,me think you can afford more control over the evils of devil magic than you let on”Kiazo said,finally letting a relaxed promtu from axe forward tension deffer.
“I see that we have quite an answer about our destiny,that is for certain,orc friend,however I fear any more encounters with the servants of the past will end quite violently-let us be off,the stairs may be towards the back rooms,as the ones that took us here-we’ll make to the 4th level”Alliyah barked truimphantly through the trivialy intensified fealings in the room,and they made no quips,and followed her lead.
Satisfied with a quick sweep through a large cavern that was of no construct,they continued through the hall at the back,this being after finding a stairway that led them there.Alliyah considered the worths of what the demoness had said and wondered if the undead monsters were just the worst of what may lay before them.Suddenly the room that had stepped into was cating adarkness that suplanted their torches,and weapons were taken in full expectations of a sudden attack.
“magic,it’s still bound to this room,not a good sign”Chaelsoroy stated as fumbling about for one of the ptions that may be able to undue the sitaution.
“what now:Kiazo asked,as he bumped into Xeina who stood stil,trying to feal her way through the presence of the room,if there was any other than their own.
“Chealsoroy,this is why you are here,can you dispell this”Alliyah asked,hearing the jumble of their actions behind her.
“yes,yes soon enough,’tether stains life abstains,cast light from the darkness’s plight’”he spoke the incantation and spilled some of the liquid,it burst alive ina voilet glow,in a lava like mulch,and skiffing flurries of sparkle took to the air instantaneousley,appearing apart from the catalyst.
The room soon was sapped of it’s strength,or the curse destroyed,in any event now they could see with their torches and were shocked by the view.Several lycenthropes,of forms that included dire-wolves,-tigers,and bears,were laying dead on the ground,each with a masssive slashing across the chest,and in the center of the room,a cross painted in blood,that was not time decayed was etched.The bodies were maybe weeks but not years old,and the etching was another sign of recent activity.
“there are living intelligent life forms –I don’t think that undead create wards of this nature,what say you Xeina”Alliyah asked as she kicked a corpse over checking for any more damage than the one apperant fatal wound.
“or the Semychanis has been using it,or has servants that do-though I don’t think she knows about the demons or treasures”Xeina stated in contemplation.
“no wounds other than this,a ceremony not a battle,I fear that is a sign that whoever did this has more power than may be easily met”Kiazo said as looking to the corpse Alliyah had turned over.
“well,we can’t do much standing about waiting for a sign,if there is indeed a wizard who lives still we will know soon enough”Chealsoroy also felt the concerns voiced by the orc,and the others in quickened paces followed Alliyah to the next hall.
Finally another series of steps made way to the 4th level.There the archway about the bottom of the steps glowed with yet another spellbinding,andAlliyah paused thinking to check if stepping through it was dangerous.
“we’re near the demons,I can feal,is this the spellwork the demoness spoke of,I fear that Chealsoroy may have to do a trick to make it safe”Alliyah stated,as she stepped aside so the elf could consider the dilema.
The breaches of the brim,had a lighter fuse of the magic light that fluctuated about it,and as if there was a beaming effect,the other borders were bit with cackles of the energy every few seconds making the whole stonework glow in it’s effect.The application of a potion at the focal of energy was devised as the answer,and with that it spit itself from the arch,and faded into nothing as falling away like a feather released to the ground.
“not the ideal answer if this is what’s keeping the demons from freeing themselves,however tis your lead to do with as you please sweet Alliyah the stormrider of doom”Chealsoroy made a one arm sweep and half bow,and allowed her to continue as the first of the party.
In disturbance of one of the few moments of rest that the undead creatutres took from day to day,they felt the shock wave of the broken seal.No,it was not the one which directly bound them,but it was a sign of an approaching victim.Gutteral growls eminated as they gathered towards the hall entrance to their chamber,the golden void screen set across it allowing them no way beyod,but their bodies intensified with anticipation,and soon one of them took some effort from the entirely moronic mind,and motioned them back so as to pounce the unknowing when they arrived.There ether strewn claws were like great talons,and had two sided razor effectiveness,and a bite from one could render an undead disease surging through a foe instantaneously.The flesh and scales were barely still attached to their bodies,and friction between them had lent the floor to a number of fallen body facets.
“there I see a golden light-it is the one which they lay beyond,I fear they know we are approaching”Alliyah with her sword forward touched the ward,after they reached it and it cackled and singed the blade like a mighty fire.
“heavens truth bring charm,we are sent with faith to destroy the demons from evils harm,cast us the strength to fight,we will purify the Tehreceine from unwanten light”Xeina recited a blessing for the entire group as Chealsoroy quickly began to set dabbles of a potion about the screen.
“may my axe sever the nap and gut the foe,like a wartime blaze of glory!”Kiazo also spoke a somewhat less magical blessing,and the others smiled wryley considering just such a deed was about to be resolved.
The bond was broken and battle began.Clashing claws and swords scattered about devoius images of live warriors and undead demons.The howls of the angered prisoners cut through the air,as Xeina began a spell that sent a shocking thunder through each of the dozen or so creatures.Alliyah punctured her sword through the gut of her enemy,while kicking away an attacker from the side,finding strength she burried it to the but of her handle,her hand careening into the beasts slopping unmaterial form.It bellowed in agony and fell to the ground,as two more took to the air and slashed in a double attack at her-but Kiazo was there and as she blocked one,the other lost it’s life with a tremendous swipe,sending its innards flying from its neck as it’s nap rolled across the ground fizzling to ash from the undead blank stupified stare of it’s final moments.Chaelsoroy,set his hands forward,and sent a swath of ice like magic blasting an impact that picked up another from the first it sent flying and the two demons smashed into the wall,burried onto a torch holder that held them against the wall,Alliyah finished their lives while they were vulnerable,and truning to meet 4 more that had pushed Kiazo and Xeina away-she unleashed the spell rings fire.Flailing desperately the fire took hold of two of them,making them fuse with a blaze of damaging magic,that strew orange brilliance about them,un affected by the floor,and soon they were piles of ashes.Kiazo and Alliyah held off 5 demons through several slashings and manuvers but a few scratches that cut with the ferocious clippings of the claws,were bleeding sending live blood dancing about with their actions.Xeina now had a chance to try another spell,and this time the five demons wilted in pain and agony,the curse of finer sentience to a summons of good than they could take,and fell first to their knees,then slumped forward faces sent smattering bluntly to the floor.A few slashes by Cheasoroy and Kiazo and the last demons wer killed,and Xiena had enough energy to create the orb of healing and wounds were soon replaced with fresh skin,and the ashen corpses left flutters in the air like the skitters of grey created from forest fires sent by breezes.
“the treasure will soon be ours,my friends,if we have faught our worse battle,then maybe all is told in ignorance of the horrors of Tethreceine”Alliyah took in glowing colour the view of slayne evils,and looked about seeking any interest in the room inteslf.
[/FONT][/FONT]
rb recovery lvl d10,poisens etc totall 1d6/day,visioning(within 600 ft),blast evil(removes 1 power(3d6 foes)25hp for this/e.,& 2 casts/1 5d10+wiz&int dmg sending foes 3d10 ft)
