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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 3254657" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Deus Ex Machina - Part 4a: Psychological Torture Chamber</strong></p><p></p><p>Every day, the cultists entered Quintus’ cage wearing expressionless, pallid masks. </p><p></p><p>Khorbon nodded towards one of the gnomes. “Whillispur, if you please?”</p><p></p><p>Suddenly, loud, hard music blasted all around him. The world spun. Psychedelic colors flashed everywhere. </p><p></p><p>The pallid masks appeared; hundreds of them, floating in space. They surrounded him.</p><p></p><p>Whenever Quintus tried to close his eyes, he was poked with the shocking wands. </p><p></p><p>“There’ll be no closing your eyes,” said Khorbon. “I have so much to show you.”</p><p></p><p>The world spun. Quintus struggled mightily to keep from vomiting. His head throbbed.</p><p></p><p>“Illusionists are really marvelous, aren’t they?” asked Khorbon. Quintus couldn’t respond. “When they really get going, they can be downright dangerous. For example, we’ve been digging through your mind for quite awhile. And look what we found!”</p><p></p><p>Images appeared. A woman. Her faced covered in sweat, her eyes bloodshot. Her hair was matted all around her. She was dressed in a simple white robe, but her lower half was spattered with blood. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, I know you’re confused, you’re frightened. Who wouldn’t be? Lets face it; you’re in a hell of a situation. Life’s a bowl of cherries, and these are the pits, but remember,” he took a deep breath and began to sing.</p><p></p><p>“Along the shore the cloud waves break, </p><p>The twin suns sink behind the lake, </p><p>The shadows lengthen </p><p>In Carcosa </p><p>Strange is the night where black stars rise, </p><p>And strange moons circle through the skies, </p><p>But stranger still is </p><p>Lost Carcosa </p><p>Songs that the Hyades shall sing, </p><p>Where flap the tatters of the King, </p><p>Must die unheard in </p><p>Dim Carcosa. </p><p>Song of my soul, my voice is dead, </p><p>Die though, unsung, as tears unshed </p><p>Shall dry and die in </p><p>Lost Carcosa</p><p>The stars that burn their charcoal death</p><p>Shrink back, they feel the hoary breath</p><p>Of he who ransoms </p><p>Great Carcosa</p><p>He flees where queen and prophet meet</p><p>Where twin suns fall but never set</p><p>Escapes the tomb of </p><p>Lost Carcosa.”</p><p></p><p>The images flickered faster and faster, from faces of the pallid mask, to that of a woman, her eyes glazed, blood vessels burst beneath her delicate skin. Blood stained her distended stomach. Her legs were limp. </p><p></p><p>“Baebiana!” screamed Quintus. </p><p></p><p>Then the pallid masks surrounded him. The music stopped. </p><p></p><p>Khorbon bent down to peer into Quintus’s face. “Poor bastard. It’s a shame they don’t let legionnaires marry. Got her pregnant, then she died on him in childbirth. “</p><p></p><p>Quintus didn’t move. His eyes were open. Tears stained his cheeks. Quintus’ breathing was slow and shallow.</p><p></p><p>“Well, we cracked him. He’s catatonic,” said Khorbon from behind his mask. “I think he’ll make an excellent gift for the King in Yellow.”</p><p></p><p>Then he left.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 3254657, member: 3285"] [b]Deus Ex Machina - Part 4a: Psychological Torture Chamber[/b] Every day, the cultists entered Quintus’ cage wearing expressionless, pallid masks. Khorbon nodded towards one of the gnomes. “Whillispur, if you please?” Suddenly, loud, hard music blasted all around him. The world spun. Psychedelic colors flashed everywhere. The pallid masks appeared; hundreds of them, floating in space. They surrounded him. Whenever Quintus tried to close his eyes, he was poked with the shocking wands. “There’ll be no closing your eyes,” said Khorbon. “I have so much to show you.” The world spun. Quintus struggled mightily to keep from vomiting. His head throbbed. “Illusionists are really marvelous, aren’t they?” asked Khorbon. Quintus couldn’t respond. “When they really get going, they can be downright dangerous. For example, we’ve been digging through your mind for quite awhile. And look what we found!” Images appeared. A woman. Her faced covered in sweat, her eyes bloodshot. Her hair was matted all around her. She was dressed in a simple white robe, but her lower half was spattered with blood. “Oh, I know you’re confused, you’re frightened. Who wouldn’t be? Lets face it; you’re in a hell of a situation. Life’s a bowl of cherries, and these are the pits, but remember,” he took a deep breath and began to sing. “Along the shore the cloud waves break, The twin suns sink behind the lake, The shadows lengthen In Carcosa Strange is the night where black stars rise, And strange moons circle through the skies, But stranger still is Lost Carcosa Songs that the Hyades shall sing, Where flap the tatters of the King, Must die unheard in Dim Carcosa. Song of my soul, my voice is dead, Die though, unsung, as tears unshed Shall dry and die in Lost Carcosa The stars that burn their charcoal death Shrink back, they feel the hoary breath Of he who ransoms Great Carcosa He flees where queen and prophet meet Where twin suns fall but never set Escapes the tomb of Lost Carcosa.” The images flickered faster and faster, from faces of the pallid mask, to that of a woman, her eyes glazed, blood vessels burst beneath her delicate skin. Blood stained her distended stomach. Her legs were limp. “Baebiana!” screamed Quintus. Then the pallid masks surrounded him. The music stopped. Khorbon bent down to peer into Quintus’s face. “Poor bastard. It’s a shame they don’t let legionnaires marry. Got her pregnant, then she died on him in childbirth. “ Quintus didn’t move. His eyes were open. Tears stained his cheeks. Quintus’ breathing was slow and shallow. “Well, we cracked him. He’s catatonic,” said Khorbon from behind his mask. “I think he’ll make an excellent gift for the King in Yellow.” Then he left. [/QUOTE]
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