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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 5037083" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Crisis in Freeport: Part 11 – Felix’s</strong></p><p></p><p>Felix’s resort was a large building that once offered excellent service, food, and accommodations. It was the perfect getaway for Freeoprt’e elite, serving all of the Captain’s Council, important merchants, and dignitaries from foreign lands. </p><p></p><p>The one-posh establishment had transformed into a disgusting charnel house, the playground for bloodthirsty pirates. By the time Sebastian and Beldin reached the resort, it appeared that the entire staff had been murdered, their corpses strewn about the beach. </p><p></p><p>A covered porch dominated the front of the resort. The supporting beams featured a number of hooks for holding nets, hats, baggage, and other items. The porch also held a few chairs and a couple of ceramic pots that served as spittoons. Boards covered the windows to protect them from flying debris. The door hung on a single hinge and swung in the gusts. </p><p></p><p>“They put up a fight,” said Beldin sadly.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian crossed his wrists in front of him and promptly disappeared. “Keep them busy,” came his voice from nowhere. </p><p></p><p>After drinking several potions that increased his strength and size, Beldin soldiered on. Inside, the dining hall was a large open room that had once been filled with tables, chairs, and maritime décor. No longer. The place was a shambles. The iron hoops that served as chandeliers were the only thing still intact, though the candles had burned down to the stubs and sputtered with each blast of wind through the door. Corpses littered the floor and stairs leading up to the second floor. The place stank of beer, blood, and smoke. </p><p></p><p>Elorii pirates, armed with crossbows, crouched on either side of the room. At the far side was Persius Sharpe, the elorii captain, holding a flintlock to Emric’s head. Mentire Aboir, a hunched gnome with a tattooed in the form of a skull, leaned on his staff next to him. Standing in Beldin’s path was none other than the elorii bounty hunter who had tried to kill them over a year ago in Freeport, Garadon. </p><p></p><p>“Amazing,” said Mentire said in disbelief. “We surely thought no one would come waltzing through the front door like that. And yet, here you are.” He wheezed a laugh. “Leave it to a dwarf!”</p><p></p><p>“Let the boy go,” said Beldin. Garadon pulsed with energy, larger and more menacing that he had been when Beldin last saw him. </p><p></p><p>“Let him go?” said the gnome. “Let him go? You’ve been keeping company with Martell for too long. We’re not going to let the boy go. We have orders to keep him here until Freeport picks a new successor to the Sea Lord’s throne.”</p><p></p><p>Beldin took a step forward. Garadon crouched.</p><p></p><p>“And then?” </p><p></p><p>“There’s always the ghouls outside,” cackled Mentire. “Or Talathiel.”</p><p></p><p>Beldin’s next response was cut off by the screams of the elorii on his left side. Sebastian, no longer invisible, stood with smoking fists outside the window. The five elorii dropped, sparking bolts of energy that danced between their corpses and nearby furniture.</p><p></p><p>Garadon didn’t wait. The huge elorii was on Beldin lightning fast. He struck Beldin’s shield so hard with his longsword that the dwarf nearly dropped it.</p><p></p><p>Beldin swung at him, connecting with the elorii’s head…but his axe passed right through it. Garadon blurred sideways, a few afterimages following behind him.</p><p></p><p>“Sebastian!” shouted Beldin. “He’s protected!”</p><p></p><p>Crossbow bolts fired from the remaining elorii pirates, some focusing on Beldin, others on Sebastian, who ducked below the window.</p><p></p><p>“Worry about your own magic, dwarf,” snarled Mentirre. “<span style="font-family: 'Impact'">Resolvo veneficus!</span>”</p><p></p><p>Beldin started shrinking. He felt the strength sap from his limbs. </p><p></p><p>Mentire cackled. “My giant beats yours!” </p><p></p><p>Sebastian thrust one arm through an open window and aimed it at Garadon. Eldritch energy energy pulsed from his fist into the back of the giant elorii, reducing him to his own size. </p><p></p><p>Beldin took a few experimental swings at his normal-sized enemy. “That’s a new trick.”</p><p></p><p>The dwarf struck again, and this time Garadon was forced to block with his buckler. It was barely enough to deflect the blow. The silent elorii shook out his shield arm in agitation.</p><p></p><p>A crossbow bounced off of Beldin’s armor. Not all of the protective magics had been dispelled. Good.</p><p></p><p>Mentire turned his attention to Sebastian. “That’s enough of that: <span style="font-family: 'Impact'">algor conus!</span>”</p><p></p><p>Freezing cold blasted from Mentire’s fingertips. Persius watch impassively, holding Emric by the throat with one hand and the pistol in another. </p><p></p><p>Garadon rolled to Beldin’s left and came up swinging hard. Beldin blocked it and struck the elorii a glancing blow to his shoulder, above the paltry protection the buckler provided. Garadon fell backwards, stumbling over a table. He flipped back up to his feet, but it was clear the elorii was winded.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian was nowhere to be found. With the windows frozen over, his entrance was blocked.</p><p></p><p>“Now,” cackled Mentire, “I will teach you to bow to a new master: <span style="font-family: 'Impact'">nulluas facultas!</span>” </p><p></p><p>Black lightning sparked from Mentire’s outstretched fingertips, dancing over Beldin’s entire body. The dwarf grunted and fell to one knee. </p><p></p><p>Slowly, he got up again. </p><p></p><p>“Die!” snarled Mentire. “<span style="font-family: 'Impact'">Nullus facultas!</span>” More black energy surged into the dwarf. It felt as if bloodsucking bees were stinging his whole body. </p><p></p><p>Beldin spat blood. Something had burst inside him, something he probably needed. After a moment, he took another step forward.</p><p></p><p>“Impossible!” shouted Mentire. “Why won’t you DIE?! <span style="font-family: 'Impact'">NULLUS FACULTAS!</span>”</p><p></p><p>More black lightning blasted from Mentire’s fingertips. Beldin finally went down to his knees, panting.</p><p></p><p>Garadon took hold of his longsword with both hands and stood over the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>“Finish it,” said Mentire.</p><p></p><p>Garadon lifted the blade. Beldin just looked down at the ground, too drained to care.</p><p></p><p>The shattering of ice was the only warning Garadon got. The elorii turned to look as a bat-winged blur slammed into him. Sizzling eldritch energy blasted ahead of Sebastian, pinning the elorii to the wall as he writhed in unholy flames. </p><p></p><p>Mentire watched in shock, mouth agape. With the last of his energy, Beldin hurled Windcutter through the air. And true to its name, the dwarven waraxe sailed end over end as if it were a throwing dagger, burying itself in Mentire’s chest. The gnome let out a rattling wheeze and collapsed, staring in awe at the axe lodged in his ribcage.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian hopped to his feet, wings spread, ready for combat. He fanned out his hands at the other elorii pirates. “<span style="font-family: 'Impact'">Algor conus!</span>”</p><p></p><p>The cone of ice turned the other elorii pirates into ice crystals, ending at Persius’ feet. Sebastian had been careful not to encompass the boy in his spell. </p><p></p><p>Persius’s position hadn’t changed. He hadn’t blinked the entire time. Emric seemed similarly entranced and stood stock still, like two mannequins in some sort of gruesome display.</p><p></p><p>“Persius,” croaked Beldin, “why are you doing this?”</p><p></p><p>“Anulee deserved a second chance.” Persius methodically lifted his pistol and drew a bead on the unarmed dwarf’s forehead.</p><p></p><p>“Now Dracuul!” shouted Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>A small bat landed on Persius’ back and sank its fangs into his neck. </p><p></p><p>Persius jolted, twitching, as Sebastian’s stored spell drank his life force. Then he too fell to the ground.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian helped Beldin to his feet. Mentire gurgled, his bloody lungs struggling to breathe their last. Beldin made his way over to him.</p><p></p><p>Sebastian stood over Persius. “Is this out of revenge for killing Anulee?” He leaned down to whisper into the dying elorii’s ear. “She was mad. I had no choice but to kill her. If it makes you feel better, her death was quick.”</p><p></p><p>“…take good care…of…her…” then he expired.</p><p></p><p>Beldin yanked Windcutter out of the gnome’s chest. Mentire screeched and then promptly expired.</p><p></p><p>Emric started, coming out of the trance. “W-what happened?”</p><p></p><p>“You were ensorcelled,” said Sebastian, rifling through Mentire’s belongings. He pulled out a note and read it. “Judging from this document, Mentire was hired by Arias Soderheim to kidnap you to prevent you from laying claim to the Sea Lord’s throne.”</p><p></p><p>Beldin leaned on Windcutter, staring down at Persius’ corpse. “He could have killed the boy at any time. Maybe a small part of him knew it was wrong.”</p><p></p><p>“He was going to kill you,” sneered Sebastian. “That doesn’t seem too altruistic to me.”</p><p></p><p>Emric looked around in wonder, as if he was seeing the room for the first time. “Now what?”</p><p></p><p>“Now,” Sebastian stalked towards the door, “we reclaim your birthright.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 5037083, member: 3285"] [b]Crisis in Freeport: Part 11 – Felix’s[/b] Felix’s resort was a large building that once offered excellent service, food, and accommodations. It was the perfect getaway for Freeoprt’e elite, serving all of the Captain’s Council, important merchants, and dignitaries from foreign lands. The one-posh establishment had transformed into a disgusting charnel house, the playground for bloodthirsty pirates. By the time Sebastian and Beldin reached the resort, it appeared that the entire staff had been murdered, their corpses strewn about the beach. A covered porch dominated the front of the resort. The supporting beams featured a number of hooks for holding nets, hats, baggage, and other items. The porch also held a few chairs and a couple of ceramic pots that served as spittoons. Boards covered the windows to protect them from flying debris. The door hung on a single hinge and swung in the gusts. “They put up a fight,” said Beldin sadly. Sebastian crossed his wrists in front of him and promptly disappeared. “Keep them busy,” came his voice from nowhere. After drinking several potions that increased his strength and size, Beldin soldiered on. Inside, the dining hall was a large open room that had once been filled with tables, chairs, and maritime décor. No longer. The place was a shambles. The iron hoops that served as chandeliers were the only thing still intact, though the candles had burned down to the stubs and sputtered with each blast of wind through the door. Corpses littered the floor and stairs leading up to the second floor. The place stank of beer, blood, and smoke. Elorii pirates, armed with crossbows, crouched on either side of the room. At the far side was Persius Sharpe, the elorii captain, holding a flintlock to Emric’s head. Mentire Aboir, a hunched gnome with a tattooed in the form of a skull, leaned on his staff next to him. Standing in Beldin’s path was none other than the elorii bounty hunter who had tried to kill them over a year ago in Freeport, Garadon. “Amazing,” said Mentire said in disbelief. “We surely thought no one would come waltzing through the front door like that. And yet, here you are.” He wheezed a laugh. “Leave it to a dwarf!” “Let the boy go,” said Beldin. Garadon pulsed with energy, larger and more menacing that he had been when Beldin last saw him. “Let him go?” said the gnome. “Let him go? You’ve been keeping company with Martell for too long. We’re not going to let the boy go. We have orders to keep him here until Freeport picks a new successor to the Sea Lord’s throne.” Beldin took a step forward. Garadon crouched. “And then?” “There’s always the ghouls outside,” cackled Mentire. “Or Talathiel.” Beldin’s next response was cut off by the screams of the elorii on his left side. Sebastian, no longer invisible, stood with smoking fists outside the window. The five elorii dropped, sparking bolts of energy that danced between their corpses and nearby furniture. Garadon didn’t wait. The huge elorii was on Beldin lightning fast. He struck Beldin’s shield so hard with his longsword that the dwarf nearly dropped it. Beldin swung at him, connecting with the elorii’s head…but his axe passed right through it. Garadon blurred sideways, a few afterimages following behind him. “Sebastian!” shouted Beldin. “He’s protected!” Crossbow bolts fired from the remaining elorii pirates, some focusing on Beldin, others on Sebastian, who ducked below the window. “Worry about your own magic, dwarf,” snarled Mentirre. “[FONT="Impact"]Resolvo veneficus![/FONT]” Beldin started shrinking. He felt the strength sap from his limbs. Mentire cackled. “My giant beats yours!” Sebastian thrust one arm through an open window and aimed it at Garadon. Eldritch energy energy pulsed from his fist into the back of the giant elorii, reducing him to his own size. Beldin took a few experimental swings at his normal-sized enemy. “That’s a new trick.” The dwarf struck again, and this time Garadon was forced to block with his buckler. It was barely enough to deflect the blow. The silent elorii shook out his shield arm in agitation. A crossbow bounced off of Beldin’s armor. Not all of the protective magics had been dispelled. Good. Mentire turned his attention to Sebastian. “That’s enough of that: [FONT="Impact"]algor conus![/FONT]” Freezing cold blasted from Mentire’s fingertips. Persius watch impassively, holding Emric by the throat with one hand and the pistol in another. Garadon rolled to Beldin’s left and came up swinging hard. Beldin blocked it and struck the elorii a glancing blow to his shoulder, above the paltry protection the buckler provided. Garadon fell backwards, stumbling over a table. He flipped back up to his feet, but it was clear the elorii was winded. Sebastian was nowhere to be found. With the windows frozen over, his entrance was blocked. “Now,” cackled Mentire, “I will teach you to bow to a new master: [FONT="Impact"]nulluas facultas![/FONT]” Black lightning sparked from Mentire’s outstretched fingertips, dancing over Beldin’s entire body. The dwarf grunted and fell to one knee. Slowly, he got up again. “Die!” snarled Mentire. “[FONT="Impact"]Nullus facultas![/FONT]” More black energy surged into the dwarf. It felt as if bloodsucking bees were stinging his whole body. Beldin spat blood. Something had burst inside him, something he probably needed. After a moment, he took another step forward. “Impossible!” shouted Mentire. “Why won’t you DIE?! [FONT="Impact"]NULLUS FACULTAS![/FONT]” More black lightning blasted from Mentire’s fingertips. Beldin finally went down to his knees, panting. Garadon took hold of his longsword with both hands and stood over the dwarf. “Finish it,” said Mentire. Garadon lifted the blade. Beldin just looked down at the ground, too drained to care. The shattering of ice was the only warning Garadon got. The elorii turned to look as a bat-winged blur slammed into him. Sizzling eldritch energy blasted ahead of Sebastian, pinning the elorii to the wall as he writhed in unholy flames. Mentire watched in shock, mouth agape. With the last of his energy, Beldin hurled Windcutter through the air. And true to its name, the dwarven waraxe sailed end over end as if it were a throwing dagger, burying itself in Mentire’s chest. The gnome let out a rattling wheeze and collapsed, staring in awe at the axe lodged in his ribcage. Sebastian hopped to his feet, wings spread, ready for combat. He fanned out his hands at the other elorii pirates. “[FONT="Impact"]Algor conus![/FONT]” The cone of ice turned the other elorii pirates into ice crystals, ending at Persius’ feet. Sebastian had been careful not to encompass the boy in his spell. Persius’s position hadn’t changed. He hadn’t blinked the entire time. Emric seemed similarly entranced and stood stock still, like two mannequins in some sort of gruesome display. “Persius,” croaked Beldin, “why are you doing this?” “Anulee deserved a second chance.” Persius methodically lifted his pistol and drew a bead on the unarmed dwarf’s forehead. “Now Dracuul!” shouted Sebastian. A small bat landed on Persius’ back and sank its fangs into his neck. Persius jolted, twitching, as Sebastian’s stored spell drank his life force. Then he too fell to the ground. Sebastian helped Beldin to his feet. Mentire gurgled, his bloody lungs struggling to breathe their last. Beldin made his way over to him. Sebastian stood over Persius. “Is this out of revenge for killing Anulee?” He leaned down to whisper into the dying elorii’s ear. “She was mad. I had no choice but to kill her. If it makes you feel better, her death was quick.” “…take good care…of…her…” then he expired. Beldin yanked Windcutter out of the gnome’s chest. Mentire screeched and then promptly expired. Emric started, coming out of the trance. “W-what happened?” “You were ensorcelled,” said Sebastian, rifling through Mentire’s belongings. He pulled out a note and read it. “Judging from this document, Mentire was hired by Arias Soderheim to kidnap you to prevent you from laying claim to the Sea Lord’s throne.” Beldin leaned on Windcutter, staring down at Persius’ corpse. “He could have killed the boy at any time. Maybe a small part of him knew it was wrong.” “He was going to kill you,” sneered Sebastian. “That doesn’t seem too altruistic to me.” Emric looked around in wonder, as if he was seeing the room for the first time. “Now what?” “Now,” Sebastian stalked towards the door, “we reclaim your birthright.” [/QUOTE]
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