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Anka Seth - The Rise of the Hydra (New Update April 19, 2007)
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<blockquote data-quote="Fiasco" data-source="post: 3436946" data-attributes="member: 15187"><p>The tentacle arched up in anticipation of seizing Gerard when a bolt buried itself deep in its slimy flesh. A warning cry from Morgan accompanied his attack, galvanizing the others to action. A forest of tentacles burst from the water, followed by a hideous sagging body reminiscent of a lanced boil leaking pus. Gerard gave a cry of horror even as he desperately scrambled backwards and fumbled for his crossbow. Argonne too tried to retreat, dragging his wounded body as fast as he could away from the monster. Morgan called on the Hydra to bring missile weapons to bear, within moments he was joined by Moxadder and Mortec. A ragged volley of bolts were sent against the horror as each adventurer tried to load his weapon as fast a panicked hands would allow. </p><p></p><p>Stravarius alone was a centre of calm amidst the frenzied behaviour of his companions. Firmly repressing his disgust at the creature he called on his dark nature to summon a surge of necromantic energy into his fist. Feeling the strength sapping magic build to painful levels he hurled it the creature with a snap of his arm and a dark word in the language of the Dominion. The eldritch assault struck true and the putrid beast wilted visibly under the assault. Encouraged, the others loosed a better directed volley against it. </p><p></p><p>Enraged, the creature exerted itself mightily and snapping its tentacles forwards, used the momentum to heave itself bodily from the pool. With the corrupted waters cascading from its hideous body it gathered itself for a deadly charge at the Hydra’s position. Eye’s bulging in terror, the companions struggled to reload their weapons; Moxadder cursed bitterly as his crossbow string snapped under the strain. Gerard’s bolt sank into the creature’s flesh with a revolting slurp but it was not enough to forestall its assault. Eye’s blazing furiously, Stravarius stepped forward and sent another necromantic bolt into their horrid foe. This time the black pulse of energy wracked the entire creature’s frame and abruptly its entire strength fell from its limbs, dropping it against he marble floor with a disgusting slap of diseased flesh. </p><p></p><p>Shouting for the others to finish it Morgan advanced and loosed arrows into the creature from point blank range. Twitching its tentacles feebly the creature tried to pull back into the safety of the pool but the next volley of bolts ripped through its body and spilled its life to the floor. Even as the body collapsed in upon itself the Hydra sent another two terror inspired volleys into its corpse before they ceased. </p><p></p><p>Trembling, they took stock of themselves, amazed that they had come through unharmed. Having spent their final reserves of energy they decided to retreat to the level above to recover from their wounds. As they gathered their possessions together Stravarius noticed a glint of metal from the other side of the pool and circled around to investigate. He discovered a small pile of treasure which included an ivory mask, a scattering of gold and platinum coins of ancient Gerechian design, a beautiful ebon staff shod with silver and a metal book case. Pleased with the haul, the Black Elf gathered them together and rejoined his companions who were already retreating towards the stairs. </p><p></p><p>Once they had regained the relative safety of the upper level, the companions decided to return to the main entrance. Watching the wandering Gerechians with renewed wariness they reached their mounts without incident. There the guard shifts were quickly determined and all those not on duty collapsed into an exhausted sleep. Body still tingling from the energies he had expended, Stravarius watched over his companions, his blazing eyes piercing the darkened recesses of the chamber. The dolorous hymns of the Gerechian choir nestled mournfully in the subconscious of the sleepers.</p><p></p><p><em>The mill stone of his justice will grind them into truth…</em> </p><p></p><p>Despite their uncomfortable surroundings it was a much refreshed party that descended the stairs a day later. The scene in the pool room appeared unchanged save for the fact that the tentacled horror had decayed into the viscous slime that stained the marble a particularly virulent green. Leaving the side chambers be they moved to the far end of the room. Raising their torches high they saw a set of slime encrusted double doors in the North wall. More curiously they also saw two rough tunnels dug into the stone of the Eastern wall. As the Hydra warily approached they heard a whimpering sound from the nearer one.</p><p></p><p>Gazing intently forward, Stravarius looked in vain for the source of the noise for it lay beyond even his exceptional vision. Concentrating for a second, he called upon one of the minor gifts imparted on him by the Dominion’s corrupting influence and limned the tunnel with sickly green flames. By their unearthly light two short but stocky figures were revealed as they ran towards the companions. </p><p></p><p>“Rat Trolls!” Moxadder shouted as the companions noted the familiar knobbly hide and wicked teeth and claws of the creatures. Stravarius summoned a bolt of viridian energy with a word and sent it unerringly into one of the trolls while the other was struck by a bolt from Gerard and a dagger from Moxadder. Their nimble movements foiled the remaining attacks of the Hydra allowing them to close without further harm. A claw shrieked off Morgan’s war mask while Stravarius barely evaded a disembowelling slash from the other attacker.</p><p></p><p>The companions slashed and stabbed ineffectually at the creatures as Moxadder abandoned his position in the front line to circle behind the trolls into a flanking position. Though outnumbered the trolls were carrying the fight to the companions, their swift movements and high pitched snarls unnerved the Hydra. Stravarius took a nasty slash to the chest and was forced to fall back. His retreat was covered by Gerard who managed a good thrust into the troll with his rapier. Beside him Mortec called on dark Nachtigal and summoning dire power into his hand, brought it to bear on the other troll. A charge of ravening energy tore through its muscles, causing it to shrill in rage. In retaliation the creature hacked both sets of claws into the gnome, hurling him bodily backwards. Despite the gruesome damage, the dread gnome gamely struggled to get back to his feet. </p><p></p><p>A crackling bolt of necromantic force struck the troll, leeching a little strength from it as Stravarius contributed to the battle. Positioned behind the trolls, Moxadder fervently hoped that no reinforcements were coming. Timing his attack to coincide with that of Morgan he slashed a deep cut across a rat troll’s back. Both creatures were injured now, but fought on undeterred. From experience the Irudeshian knew all too well how much vitality the tough little creatures possessed. Almost as if to demonstrate their capabilities both trolls scored vicious hits, injuring Morgan and Gerard. </p><p></p><p>Thinking to conserve his arcane energies, Stravarius drew the wand sold him by Grelda in the Port of the Warlock. Sighting carefully along its length he aimed at a troll and spoke the world ‘Schwach’. To his surprise, nothing happened. His brow furrowed for a second, then he brought his sword up beside the wand. No tell tale colourations appeared on the blade, telling him the item was not enchanted. Cursing at having been cheated, he hurled the useless bit of wood away, resigned himself to calling on his own powers once more.</p><p></p><p>Despite taking wounds the companions battled on valiantly. Morgan and Gerard both scored hits on the same troll, allowing Moxadder to bring it down with a dagger deep in its spine. The other fought on, forcing Argonne to defend desperately with his staff. A bolt of magic from Stravarius weakened the troll considerably and Morgan wounded it severely with a perfectly weighted stab. A brief moment of sanity came over the ravening rat troll and it tried to flee the combat only to be brought down by a powerful thrust by Gerard. </p><p></p><p>With the noisy chaos of battle over the companions heard more whimpering sounds come from the depths of the tunnel. They looked at each other, fearing another assault but Moxadder shook his head.</p><p></p><p>“That aint rat trolls”, he gasped in exhaustion. The Irudeshian was drenched in sweat and his lungs rattled unpleasantly as he struggled to regain his breath. With trembling hands he conjured a stick of devil weed from his pouch and struggled to get it lit. Shaking his head in disgust, Morgan finished binding his wounds and advanced resolutely down the tunnel. The others followed, clutching weapons tightly in trepidation. After a hundred feet they came upon a crude nest made up of refuse, coins and scattered pieces of equipment. Huddled in the centre of the pile was a whimpering, pot bellied human. </p><p></p><p>His pale flesh was glazed with sweat and the few rags he wore stuck unpleasantly to his skin. The sour reek that emanated from him rivalled the stench of the troll nest. He looked up at the party with terrified, pale blue eyes while trying to snuffle back a trickle of snot from his nose.</p><p></p><p>“Oh please don’t hurt me”, he implored wringing his fingers. In the name of mighty Gerech, please take me from his place.”</p><p></p><p>At the mention of the god the companions looked disgustedly at each other.</p><p></p><p>“Ahnother bloody Gerechian”, muttered Argonne darkly. “That’s just what we bloody well need, and me without an axe!”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fiasco, post: 3436946, member: 15187"] The tentacle arched up in anticipation of seizing Gerard when a bolt buried itself deep in its slimy flesh. A warning cry from Morgan accompanied his attack, galvanizing the others to action. A forest of tentacles burst from the water, followed by a hideous sagging body reminiscent of a lanced boil leaking pus. Gerard gave a cry of horror even as he desperately scrambled backwards and fumbled for his crossbow. Argonne too tried to retreat, dragging his wounded body as fast as he could away from the monster. Morgan called on the Hydra to bring missile weapons to bear, within moments he was joined by Moxadder and Mortec. A ragged volley of bolts were sent against the horror as each adventurer tried to load his weapon as fast a panicked hands would allow. Stravarius alone was a centre of calm amidst the frenzied behaviour of his companions. Firmly repressing his disgust at the creature he called on his dark nature to summon a surge of necromantic energy into his fist. Feeling the strength sapping magic build to painful levels he hurled it the creature with a snap of his arm and a dark word in the language of the Dominion. The eldritch assault struck true and the putrid beast wilted visibly under the assault. Encouraged, the others loosed a better directed volley against it. Enraged, the creature exerted itself mightily and snapping its tentacles forwards, used the momentum to heave itself bodily from the pool. With the corrupted waters cascading from its hideous body it gathered itself for a deadly charge at the Hydra’s position. Eye’s bulging in terror, the companions struggled to reload their weapons; Moxadder cursed bitterly as his crossbow string snapped under the strain. Gerard’s bolt sank into the creature’s flesh with a revolting slurp but it was not enough to forestall its assault. Eye’s blazing furiously, Stravarius stepped forward and sent another necromantic bolt into their horrid foe. This time the black pulse of energy wracked the entire creature’s frame and abruptly its entire strength fell from its limbs, dropping it against he marble floor with a disgusting slap of diseased flesh. Shouting for the others to finish it Morgan advanced and loosed arrows into the creature from point blank range. Twitching its tentacles feebly the creature tried to pull back into the safety of the pool but the next volley of bolts ripped through its body and spilled its life to the floor. Even as the body collapsed in upon itself the Hydra sent another two terror inspired volleys into its corpse before they ceased. Trembling, they took stock of themselves, amazed that they had come through unharmed. Having spent their final reserves of energy they decided to retreat to the level above to recover from their wounds. As they gathered their possessions together Stravarius noticed a glint of metal from the other side of the pool and circled around to investigate. He discovered a small pile of treasure which included an ivory mask, a scattering of gold and platinum coins of ancient Gerechian design, a beautiful ebon staff shod with silver and a metal book case. Pleased with the haul, the Black Elf gathered them together and rejoined his companions who were already retreating towards the stairs. Once they had regained the relative safety of the upper level, the companions decided to return to the main entrance. Watching the wandering Gerechians with renewed wariness they reached their mounts without incident. There the guard shifts were quickly determined and all those not on duty collapsed into an exhausted sleep. Body still tingling from the energies he had expended, Stravarius watched over his companions, his blazing eyes piercing the darkened recesses of the chamber. The dolorous hymns of the Gerechian choir nestled mournfully in the subconscious of the sleepers. [I]The mill stone of his justice will grind them into truth…[/I] Despite their uncomfortable surroundings it was a much refreshed party that descended the stairs a day later. The scene in the pool room appeared unchanged save for the fact that the tentacled horror had decayed into the viscous slime that stained the marble a particularly virulent green. Leaving the side chambers be they moved to the far end of the room. Raising their torches high they saw a set of slime encrusted double doors in the North wall. More curiously they also saw two rough tunnels dug into the stone of the Eastern wall. As the Hydra warily approached they heard a whimpering sound from the nearer one. Gazing intently forward, Stravarius looked in vain for the source of the noise for it lay beyond even his exceptional vision. Concentrating for a second, he called upon one of the minor gifts imparted on him by the Dominion’s corrupting influence and limned the tunnel with sickly green flames. By their unearthly light two short but stocky figures were revealed as they ran towards the companions. “Rat Trolls!” Moxadder shouted as the companions noted the familiar knobbly hide and wicked teeth and claws of the creatures. Stravarius summoned a bolt of viridian energy with a word and sent it unerringly into one of the trolls while the other was struck by a bolt from Gerard and a dagger from Moxadder. Their nimble movements foiled the remaining attacks of the Hydra allowing them to close without further harm. A claw shrieked off Morgan’s war mask while Stravarius barely evaded a disembowelling slash from the other attacker. The companions slashed and stabbed ineffectually at the creatures as Moxadder abandoned his position in the front line to circle behind the trolls into a flanking position. Though outnumbered the trolls were carrying the fight to the companions, their swift movements and high pitched snarls unnerved the Hydra. Stravarius took a nasty slash to the chest and was forced to fall back. His retreat was covered by Gerard who managed a good thrust into the troll with his rapier. Beside him Mortec called on dark Nachtigal and summoning dire power into his hand, brought it to bear on the other troll. A charge of ravening energy tore through its muscles, causing it to shrill in rage. In retaliation the creature hacked both sets of claws into the gnome, hurling him bodily backwards. Despite the gruesome damage, the dread gnome gamely struggled to get back to his feet. A crackling bolt of necromantic force struck the troll, leeching a little strength from it as Stravarius contributed to the battle. Positioned behind the trolls, Moxadder fervently hoped that no reinforcements were coming. Timing his attack to coincide with that of Morgan he slashed a deep cut across a rat troll’s back. Both creatures were injured now, but fought on undeterred. From experience the Irudeshian knew all too well how much vitality the tough little creatures possessed. Almost as if to demonstrate their capabilities both trolls scored vicious hits, injuring Morgan and Gerard. Thinking to conserve his arcane energies, Stravarius drew the wand sold him by Grelda in the Port of the Warlock. Sighting carefully along its length he aimed at a troll and spoke the world ‘Schwach’. To his surprise, nothing happened. His brow furrowed for a second, then he brought his sword up beside the wand. No tell tale colourations appeared on the blade, telling him the item was not enchanted. Cursing at having been cheated, he hurled the useless bit of wood away, resigned himself to calling on his own powers once more. Despite taking wounds the companions battled on valiantly. Morgan and Gerard both scored hits on the same troll, allowing Moxadder to bring it down with a dagger deep in its spine. The other fought on, forcing Argonne to defend desperately with his staff. A bolt of magic from Stravarius weakened the troll considerably and Morgan wounded it severely with a perfectly weighted stab. A brief moment of sanity came over the ravening rat troll and it tried to flee the combat only to be brought down by a powerful thrust by Gerard. With the noisy chaos of battle over the companions heard more whimpering sounds come from the depths of the tunnel. They looked at each other, fearing another assault but Moxadder shook his head. “That aint rat trolls”, he gasped in exhaustion. The Irudeshian was drenched in sweat and his lungs rattled unpleasantly as he struggled to regain his breath. With trembling hands he conjured a stick of devil weed from his pouch and struggled to get it lit. Shaking his head in disgust, Morgan finished binding his wounds and advanced resolutely down the tunnel. The others followed, clutching weapons tightly in trepidation. After a hundred feet they came upon a crude nest made up of refuse, coins and scattered pieces of equipment. Huddled in the centre of the pile was a whimpering, pot bellied human. His pale flesh was glazed with sweat and the few rags he wore stuck unpleasantly to his skin. The sour reek that emanated from him rivalled the stench of the troll nest. He looked up at the party with terrified, pale blue eyes while trying to snuffle back a trickle of snot from his nose. “Oh please don’t hurt me”, he implored wringing his fingers. In the name of mighty Gerech, please take me from his place.” At the mention of the god the companions looked disgustedly at each other. “Ahnother bloody Gerechian”, muttered Argonne darkly. “That’s just what we bloody well need, and me without an axe!” [/QUOTE]
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Anka Seth - The Rise of the Hydra (New Update April 19, 2007)
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