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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1849196" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Bargains of Spirit and Flesh - Part 7: Dark Bargains</strong></p><p></p><p>As they entered, the smell of decay and mustiness of the ageless seemed to engulf them. Swirling miniature dust storms formed and died with every move. Kham sneezed.</p><p></p><p>The chamber was titanic in its size; large enough to swallow entire buildings whole and still have room left over. Thousands of scrolls, tomes and books occupied an entire side of the room.</p><p></p><p>"This library is bigger than the Great Library of Coryan," Quintus whispered, one hand holding his side. </p><p></p><p>The other side of the chamber was occupied with table after table of alchemical apparatus and potions. </p><p></p><p>"It seems that the Ventaka rulers have enough to keep them occupied for generations without ever stepping foot outside," said Ilmarė.</p><p></p><p>Helac led them into the chamber and then, bowing deeply, backed out.</p><p></p><p>In the center of the room was a large screen made of wafer-thin jade. Backlight by a simple light, a skeletal creature stirred from its repose. The terror that emanated from it was palpable. </p><p></p><p>When it spoke, it was a lethargic croak—part groan, part scream. </p><p></p><p>"I am told that you have been instrumental in thwarting the invaders from imprisoning us?"</p><p></p><p>Elabac cleared his throat after a long pause. "I am Elabac of Solanos Mor. I have traveled…through many perils…to meet with you. I seek…your intervention…in entreating Neroth…to grant me life beyond life."</p><p></p><p>"I still don't think this is a good idea," whispered Kham.</p><p></p><p>Quintus hushed him.</p><p></p><p>"We have heard you, Master Elabac of Solanos Mor," responded the thing behind the screen. "And what will you offer to us for our prayers on your behalf?"</p><p></p><p>Elabac looked surprised. "What can I offer? I seek this gift…not for personal power…but to help my people."</p><p></p><p>The creature seemed amused, if that were possible. "If we are to persuade our Lord to grant you life beyond life, then you will have many years indeed to help your people. But Ventaka needs you now. With the betrayal of the Nierites, we will need quality arms to defend ourselves."</p><p></p><p>"I know where this is going," whispered Kham.</p><p></p><p>"Pledge to remain here for the next 20 years," the thing said, "and we will do what we can."</p><p></p><p>Kham took a deep sigh.</p><p></p><p>"We will need time to prepare. Wait in the antechamber until you are summoned."</p><p></p><p>And with that, Helac returned to usher them out.</p><p></p><p>They were standing in an uncomfortable chamber, filled with the corpses of the dead and not quite dead. </p><p></p><p>Quintus was pacing. "Why are we waiting? Master Elabac, is this not what we came here for?"</p><p></p><p>The wizened dwarf seemed startled. "I had not…expected…these turn of events."</p><p></p><p>"The best laid plans of dwarves and men often go awry," said Ilmarė with a smirk.</p><p></p><p>"Oh that's very helpful, thank you," said Kham. "Look, dwarf, I don't like this any more than you do. What is there to decide?"</p><p></p><p>Elabac looked thoughtful but said nothing.</p><p></p><p>Quintus winced, rubbing his wounded side. "You do realize that we came all this way at your request. Nearly every one of us died. I swore to see Illiir's will done and I have been true to my word. Now you must follow through with your part."</p><p></p><p>Vlad stood in front of Elabac, arms crossed. "It's a serious decision. Give Master Elabac some time."</p><p></p><p>Quintus also crossed his arms. "I have been skewered, you have been stabbed, and Kham nearly got his brains spilled across the ground twice today. We have battled Nierites, Reavers and thugs. We have pledged to defend him on this quest and we were true to our word. Now we are here and he is not SURE if he wants to go through with it?"</p><p></p><p>A spider dropped down onto Quintus shoulder. He brushed it off in a huff. "I am a patient man, but enough is enough. This place is disgusting and I want to go home!"</p><p></p><p>There was a knock at the door. Everyone turned to watch Helac enter the room with a delicate tea set. </p><p></p><p>"I find dat de tea helps one dink clearly."</p><p></p><p>He handed out teacups of some steaming concoction. </p><p></p><p>Kham looked down at his saucer and noticed a note was stuck under it. He read it quickly</p><p></p><p>Kham loudly slurped the tea down. After a beat, he said "Excuse me, I need to pee. I'm going to ask Helac where I can go without accidentally desecrating one of his ancestors' resting places."</p><p></p><p>Quintus glared at him but said nothing, his arms crossed in one corner of the room. Vlad was talking with Elabac while Ilmarė stared skeptically into her teacup.</p><p></p><p>Outside, Helac was waiting for him.</p><p></p><p>"I do not dink your dwarven friend understands de implications of de transformation he is about to undergo."</p><p></p><p>Kham closed the door behind him. "Yeah, I know. Life must be a real barrel of laughs when you're half-dead."</p><p></p><p>The bald man shook his head. "No, it is not. Dat is my point. If Elabac wishes to craft de perfect weapon, he will lose his passion completely."</p><p></p><p>"Why are you telling me this?"</p><p></p><p>The bald man's eyes darted to the emerald on Kham's coat. "I believe ve have much in common, you and I," was all he would say. </p><p></p><p>Kham walked back into the room and shut the door behind him.</p><p></p><p>"Alright, this decision is a bit more complicated than I thought. Upon becoming undead, Elabac will lose his passion and emotion. Without that passion, he'll never be able to craft the perfect weapon. Give him 20 years of this depressing place and this whole quest will have been in vain anyway."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė arched an eyebrow. "You came up with all that just now?"</p><p></p><p>Kham shrugged. "I do my best thinking when I pee."</p><p></p><p>"Perhaps you are right…" said Elabac. "If I lose my passion…my fire…then all that I sacrificed…has been in vain. Come…let us leave this place of death…and go home."</p><p></p><p>Quintus smacked his forehead. "So this truly has all been for naught."</p><p></p><p>"Not for naught," Vlad reminded him. "Wait until you see one of Master Elabac's failures in action."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1849196, member: 3285"] [b]Bargains of Spirit and Flesh - Part 7: Dark Bargains[/b] As they entered, the smell of decay and mustiness of the ageless seemed to engulf them. Swirling miniature dust storms formed and died with every move. Kham sneezed. The chamber was titanic in its size; large enough to swallow entire buildings whole and still have room left over. Thousands of scrolls, tomes and books occupied an entire side of the room. "This library is bigger than the Great Library of Coryan," Quintus whispered, one hand holding his side. The other side of the chamber was occupied with table after table of alchemical apparatus and potions. "It seems that the Ventaka rulers have enough to keep them occupied for generations without ever stepping foot outside," said Ilmarė. Helac led them into the chamber and then, bowing deeply, backed out. In the center of the room was a large screen made of wafer-thin jade. Backlight by a simple light, a skeletal creature stirred from its repose. The terror that emanated from it was palpable. When it spoke, it was a lethargic croak—part groan, part scream. "I am told that you have been instrumental in thwarting the invaders from imprisoning us?" Elabac cleared his throat after a long pause. "I am Elabac of Solanos Mor. I have traveled…through many perils…to meet with you. I seek…your intervention…in entreating Neroth…to grant me life beyond life." "I still don't think this is a good idea," whispered Kham. Quintus hushed him. "We have heard you, Master Elabac of Solanos Mor," responded the thing behind the screen. "And what will you offer to us for our prayers on your behalf?" Elabac looked surprised. "What can I offer? I seek this gift…not for personal power…but to help my people." The creature seemed amused, if that were possible. "If we are to persuade our Lord to grant you life beyond life, then you will have many years indeed to help your people. But Ventaka needs you now. With the betrayal of the Nierites, we will need quality arms to defend ourselves." "I know where this is going," whispered Kham. "Pledge to remain here for the next 20 years," the thing said, "and we will do what we can." Kham took a deep sigh. "We will need time to prepare. Wait in the antechamber until you are summoned." And with that, Helac returned to usher them out. They were standing in an uncomfortable chamber, filled with the corpses of the dead and not quite dead. Quintus was pacing. "Why are we waiting? Master Elabac, is this not what we came here for?" The wizened dwarf seemed startled. "I had not…expected…these turn of events." "The best laid plans of dwarves and men often go awry," said Ilmarė with a smirk. "Oh that's very helpful, thank you," said Kham. "Look, dwarf, I don't like this any more than you do. What is there to decide?" Elabac looked thoughtful but said nothing. Quintus winced, rubbing his wounded side. "You do realize that we came all this way at your request. Nearly every one of us died. I swore to see Illiir's will done and I have been true to my word. Now you must follow through with your part." Vlad stood in front of Elabac, arms crossed. "It's a serious decision. Give Master Elabac some time." Quintus also crossed his arms. "I have been skewered, you have been stabbed, and Kham nearly got his brains spilled across the ground twice today. We have battled Nierites, Reavers and thugs. We have pledged to defend him on this quest and we were true to our word. Now we are here and he is not SURE if he wants to go through with it?" A spider dropped down onto Quintus shoulder. He brushed it off in a huff. "I am a patient man, but enough is enough. This place is disgusting and I want to go home!" There was a knock at the door. Everyone turned to watch Helac enter the room with a delicate tea set. "I find dat de tea helps one dink clearly." He handed out teacups of some steaming concoction. Kham looked down at his saucer and noticed a note was stuck under it. He read it quickly Kham loudly slurped the tea down. After a beat, he said "Excuse me, I need to pee. I'm going to ask Helac where I can go without accidentally desecrating one of his ancestors' resting places." Quintus glared at him but said nothing, his arms crossed in one corner of the room. Vlad was talking with Elabac while Ilmarė stared skeptically into her teacup. Outside, Helac was waiting for him. "I do not dink your dwarven friend understands de implications of de transformation he is about to undergo." Kham closed the door behind him. "Yeah, I know. Life must be a real barrel of laughs when you're half-dead." The bald man shook his head. "No, it is not. Dat is my point. If Elabac wishes to craft de perfect weapon, he will lose his passion completely." "Why are you telling me this?" The bald man's eyes darted to the emerald on Kham's coat. "I believe ve have much in common, you and I," was all he would say. Kham walked back into the room and shut the door behind him. "Alright, this decision is a bit more complicated than I thought. Upon becoming undead, Elabac will lose his passion and emotion. Without that passion, he'll never be able to craft the perfect weapon. Give him 20 years of this depressing place and this whole quest will have been in vain anyway." Ilmarė arched an eyebrow. "You came up with all that just now?" Kham shrugged. "I do my best thinking when I pee." "Perhaps you are right…" said Elabac. "If I lose my passion…my fire…then all that I sacrificed…has been in vain. Come…let us leave this place of death…and go home." Quintus smacked his forehead. "So this truly has all been for naught." "Not for naught," Vlad reminded him. "Wait until you see one of Master Elabac's failures in action." [/QUOTE]
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