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[AU]Siege on Ebonring Keep-JGK: Updated 10-02-03
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<blockquote data-quote="JoeGKushner" data-source="post: 1151527" data-attributes="member: 1129"><p>Another update. Another one should be coming fairly soon.</p><p></p><p>The danger of the journey continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Did my forefathers liberate the land only to have wandering beasts kill all those brave enough to walk the roads? Perhaps I would have to dedicate my life to making sure that the roads themselves remained free? I knew that my own skills continued to grow.</p><p></p><p>It was a strange thing coming so close to death only to be revived time and time again by magic. I also knew that despite the great benefits I reaped with spellcasters fighting alongside me, that it was nothing I was personally interested in. It was something to plan for, something to take note of, but not something I wished to master. No, my greatsword called out to me, and I felt as if I had achieved a new level of proficiency with the blade, my strikes more accurate, my blows more telling.</p><p></p><p>But would that be enough? As I looked about at my other three comrades, they all seemed to be changing as well. My akashic comrade perhaps the most. I'd started to show him the proper way to swing a sword, the proper way to take a blow, to roll with the force. He was actually a little scary in his intent to deliver upon the world a war master whose skills were only equaled by his battle prowess.</p><p></p><p>As we continued to the Iber Mountains, we could see them ahead. Their color running from stone gray juts of lifeless rock to golden stretcheso f wild grass with rich drark brown sections with patches of green where the bushes were denser and the grass healthier by the river itself.</p><p></p><p>My litorian comrade suspected that the largest dark brown and green patches were where we would find trees a mile high, perhaps two days travel from where we were. Gods, I hoped that he was right. I grew weary of the road and the cooking. I grew frustrated at not having a place to bathe at my convenience, having to rely on the greenbond Charon to find fresh water for us. While I enjoyed the challenges that the open road brought, I hated the circumstances that I found myself in.</p><p></p><p>Still, I had swore oath to find this ring and I would do it.</p><p></p><p>As we marched on, we heard the ring of hoof beats. Looking, we saw a long ride over a hill, not even two hundred feat away form us. From where he stood, it was easy to make out that he appeared to be a traveler, not some raving bandit. I hoped that he was skilled with that weapon he carried as the roads proved incredibly dangerous these days.</p><p></p><p>He raised a hand, calling out to us. “Hail travelers. I am Liam of De-Shamod. Have you a moment to talk?”</p><p></p><p>Kelvyn always had a moment to talk. That's what he did. Although lately, perhaps he spoke with steel instead. He waved the man over.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, greeting. As I said, I'm Liam Ulikksson of De-Shamod. A scholar by calling and a mediator by trade. I'm going to Ebonring Keep on business or hope to anyway. Do you know of any happenings in the area? How about the coalition's assulat? Were they successful?”</p><p></p><p>Kelvyn began to regale the man with tales, some probably made up there right on the spot. Truly he belonged to the Liar's Club if for nothing else than his convincing ability to weave a tale. He then began to weave our own encounters, leaving out our part of looking for the Ebonring, painting us as wandering mercenaries clearing the road for gold.</p><p></p><p>“Such trails you've overcome. I'm impressed by your abilities if even half your tales are true.” That's when it struck me. Kelvyn spoke so easily with the man because he was a fellow akashic. After my battle advisor finished speaking, Liam told his tale.</p><p></p><p>“I'm here for a consortium of ladies and gentlemen who believe that Ebonring Keep has failed in its task of keeping the Ebonring itself safe. The conquering of the keep by rhodin is proof. The consortium is certain that the rhodin couldn't have found all the secrets of the keep, but the next masters might. Since the ring can't be protected, it must be destroyed. I'm going to keep in order to persuade those in power to agree with my emplo9yers and discuss the destruction of the ring.”</p><p></p><p>Well, he certainly kept nothing back. If such was his mission, I mentally wished him good luck. I had no intention of telling him that in my opinion, the ring wouldn't be given over. That magister who ruled there now had too much a liking not only for power, but for control. </p><p></p><p>“Ah, I see you shaking your heads amongst yourself. Do you think my mission impossible? Well, the problem is that the Ebonring is too dangerous a power to exist. The giants should've destroyed it a long time ago. Because they are a noble and kind race,” he looked my way, “they assumed that all who held it would be of the same nature.” He shook his head sadly. “Alas, that is not so.</p><p></p><p>“The ring can be used for good, but with limits to its power. The giants didn't destroy it precisely because of this. The Ebonring must be destroyed least true evil gain it again and turn it's malevolent powers against the land, undoing all that the noble giants have brought with them.”</p><p></p><p>It was a pleasant encounter for once. But as the day wore on, and the next day arrived, I knew it wouldn't last. The litorian, who scouted ahead often for food and water, came to us. “Rhodin. A group of eight, coming down the road.” </p><p></p><p>I looked at our surroundings. The hills would provide us with brief cover and I knew that we would ambush and kill them. And despite their superior numbers, despite the lack of the magister, it was so. The champion of death, Rugar, took great pleasure in rending the creatures apart with sword and fang while the akashic took great pride in his greater combat abilities, using his warhammer to deadly effect. Me? I merely waded into the thick of them, using my greater bond with the sword to deal fatal damage.</p><p></p><p>Of more interest and importance than that encounter, was our encoutner with the stone of Faran Oldrun. A massive rock, gray, rectangular in shape about fifteen feet tall by five feet wide covered in runes and writing caught out attention. With it's size, how could it not? After a few moments, my battle advisor read the writing. </p><p></p><p>“My name is Faran Oldrun</p><p>And I know my death is near.</p><p>I would share my treasure</p><p>With one who has no fear.</p><p>If you are such a heroes</p><p>Touch these words that I do write</p><p>And call out “I challenge!</p><p>I possess the will and might!”</p><p>If you are truly worthy,</p><p>My treasure you may take.</p><p>But if you are a coward</p><p>Your life you will forsake.”</p><p></p><p>Such a challenge could not go unheeded. I spoke the words and the runes came alive with a red malignant glow. They began to dance in front of my eyes, looking like worms and the glow spread over myself and the rock entire. A feeling of dread built up in me, something I couldn't swing my sword at, something I couldn't fight. I felt terror began to drag at my heart. Was I truly a coward? </p><p></p><p>A surge of energy sent me back, almost falling over myself in my haste. My eyes began to ear and my blood boiled even as sweat dripped down my face. But I didn't have time to think of that fear as a dog over four feet at the shoulder with blood red fur looked at me with pure evil in it's glowing red eyes.</p><p></p><p>I would redeem myself through combat, even though my fingers slipped and I felt shaken. “Stay back comrades! I must confront this alone!” And they did. They stepped back and out of the way as I charged.</p><p></p><p>Then the thing opened it's mouth and fire burst forth. I wasn't too badly burned and the pain helped me focus past the fear. Rugar, who stood behind me, wasn't so lucky, crying out in pain as the flame surprised him. I struck the beast soundly on the skull, almost splitting it's head apart like a ripe melon. The thing lunged forward but my armor saved me. With a counter swing, I cut the creature's stomach open and it died. “I have the will!” I cried, but couldn't shake that feeling of dread.</p><p></p><p>Rugar, perhaps upset that he'd been burnt by my foe, decided to take the test next. I couldn't tell what happened in his mind, but physically, he looked like I must have, shaken. And once again, one of those strength hounds with fire breath leapt forward with it's flaming attack, hitting me as the bystander this time. It took Rugar a while, it seemed as if the Champion of Death wasn't up to the challenge but finally, after much back and forth, he overcame the thing.</p><p></p><p>When Kelvyn stood up to touch the rock, I wondered if he would want our help? His new training notwithstanding, perhaps he wouldn't be able to finish the creature? But no, he didn't have that problem. When the red glow enveloped him and faded, a sack stood before him filled with platinum coins.</p><p></p><p>“Well done my friend.” I had to grit my teeth at his success. I was very proud of him but at the same time, jealous. Well, perhaps it wasn't something that could be helped but apparently, willpower does have it's place.</p><p></p><p>With that over, we continued on our way to the keep.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JoeGKushner, post: 1151527, member: 1129"] Another update. Another one should be coming fairly soon. The danger of the journey continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Did my forefathers liberate the land only to have wandering beasts kill all those brave enough to walk the roads? Perhaps I would have to dedicate my life to making sure that the roads themselves remained free? I knew that my own skills continued to grow. It was a strange thing coming so close to death only to be revived time and time again by magic. I also knew that despite the great benefits I reaped with spellcasters fighting alongside me, that it was nothing I was personally interested in. It was something to plan for, something to take note of, but not something I wished to master. No, my greatsword called out to me, and I felt as if I had achieved a new level of proficiency with the blade, my strikes more accurate, my blows more telling. But would that be enough? As I looked about at my other three comrades, they all seemed to be changing as well. My akashic comrade perhaps the most. I'd started to show him the proper way to swing a sword, the proper way to take a blow, to roll with the force. He was actually a little scary in his intent to deliver upon the world a war master whose skills were only equaled by his battle prowess. As we continued to the Iber Mountains, we could see them ahead. Their color running from stone gray juts of lifeless rock to golden stretcheso f wild grass with rich drark brown sections with patches of green where the bushes were denser and the grass healthier by the river itself. My litorian comrade suspected that the largest dark brown and green patches were where we would find trees a mile high, perhaps two days travel from where we were. Gods, I hoped that he was right. I grew weary of the road and the cooking. I grew frustrated at not having a place to bathe at my convenience, having to rely on the greenbond Charon to find fresh water for us. While I enjoyed the challenges that the open road brought, I hated the circumstances that I found myself in. Still, I had swore oath to find this ring and I would do it. As we marched on, we heard the ring of hoof beats. Looking, we saw a long ride over a hill, not even two hundred feat away form us. From where he stood, it was easy to make out that he appeared to be a traveler, not some raving bandit. I hoped that he was skilled with that weapon he carried as the roads proved incredibly dangerous these days. He raised a hand, calling out to us. “Hail travelers. I am Liam of De-Shamod. Have you a moment to talk?” Kelvyn always had a moment to talk. That's what he did. Although lately, perhaps he spoke with steel instead. He waved the man over. “Ah, greeting. As I said, I'm Liam Ulikksson of De-Shamod. A scholar by calling and a mediator by trade. I'm going to Ebonring Keep on business or hope to anyway. Do you know of any happenings in the area? How about the coalition's assulat? Were they successful?” Kelvyn began to regale the man with tales, some probably made up there right on the spot. Truly he belonged to the Liar's Club if for nothing else than his convincing ability to weave a tale. He then began to weave our own encounters, leaving out our part of looking for the Ebonring, painting us as wandering mercenaries clearing the road for gold. “Such trails you've overcome. I'm impressed by your abilities if even half your tales are true.” That's when it struck me. Kelvyn spoke so easily with the man because he was a fellow akashic. After my battle advisor finished speaking, Liam told his tale. “I'm here for a consortium of ladies and gentlemen who believe that Ebonring Keep has failed in its task of keeping the Ebonring itself safe. The conquering of the keep by rhodin is proof. The consortium is certain that the rhodin couldn't have found all the secrets of the keep, but the next masters might. Since the ring can't be protected, it must be destroyed. I'm going to keep in order to persuade those in power to agree with my emplo9yers and discuss the destruction of the ring.” Well, he certainly kept nothing back. If such was his mission, I mentally wished him good luck. I had no intention of telling him that in my opinion, the ring wouldn't be given over. That magister who ruled there now had too much a liking not only for power, but for control. “Ah, I see you shaking your heads amongst yourself. Do you think my mission impossible? Well, the problem is that the Ebonring is too dangerous a power to exist. The giants should've destroyed it a long time ago. Because they are a noble and kind race,” he looked my way, “they assumed that all who held it would be of the same nature.” He shook his head sadly. “Alas, that is not so. “The ring can be used for good, but with limits to its power. The giants didn't destroy it precisely because of this. The Ebonring must be destroyed least true evil gain it again and turn it's malevolent powers against the land, undoing all that the noble giants have brought with them.” It was a pleasant encounter for once. But as the day wore on, and the next day arrived, I knew it wouldn't last. The litorian, who scouted ahead often for food and water, came to us. “Rhodin. A group of eight, coming down the road.” I looked at our surroundings. The hills would provide us with brief cover and I knew that we would ambush and kill them. And despite their superior numbers, despite the lack of the magister, it was so. The champion of death, Rugar, took great pleasure in rending the creatures apart with sword and fang while the akashic took great pride in his greater combat abilities, using his warhammer to deadly effect. Me? I merely waded into the thick of them, using my greater bond with the sword to deal fatal damage. Of more interest and importance than that encounter, was our encoutner with the stone of Faran Oldrun. A massive rock, gray, rectangular in shape about fifteen feet tall by five feet wide covered in runes and writing caught out attention. With it's size, how could it not? After a few moments, my battle advisor read the writing. “My name is Faran Oldrun And I know my death is near. I would share my treasure With one who has no fear. If you are such a heroes Touch these words that I do write And call out “I challenge! I possess the will and might!” If you are truly worthy, My treasure you may take. But if you are a coward Your life you will forsake.” Such a challenge could not go unheeded. I spoke the words and the runes came alive with a red malignant glow. They began to dance in front of my eyes, looking like worms and the glow spread over myself and the rock entire. A feeling of dread built up in me, something I couldn't swing my sword at, something I couldn't fight. I felt terror began to drag at my heart. Was I truly a coward? A surge of energy sent me back, almost falling over myself in my haste. My eyes began to ear and my blood boiled even as sweat dripped down my face. But I didn't have time to think of that fear as a dog over four feet at the shoulder with blood red fur looked at me with pure evil in it's glowing red eyes. I would redeem myself through combat, even though my fingers slipped and I felt shaken. “Stay back comrades! I must confront this alone!” And they did. They stepped back and out of the way as I charged. Then the thing opened it's mouth and fire burst forth. I wasn't too badly burned and the pain helped me focus past the fear. Rugar, who stood behind me, wasn't so lucky, crying out in pain as the flame surprised him. I struck the beast soundly on the skull, almost splitting it's head apart like a ripe melon. The thing lunged forward but my armor saved me. With a counter swing, I cut the creature's stomach open and it died. “I have the will!” I cried, but couldn't shake that feeling of dread. Rugar, perhaps upset that he'd been burnt by my foe, decided to take the test next. I couldn't tell what happened in his mind, but physically, he looked like I must have, shaken. And once again, one of those strength hounds with fire breath leapt forward with it's flaming attack, hitting me as the bystander this time. It took Rugar a while, it seemed as if the Champion of Death wasn't up to the challenge but finally, after much back and forth, he overcame the thing. When Kelvyn stood up to touch the rock, I wondered if he would want our help? His new training notwithstanding, perhaps he wouldn't be able to finish the creature? But no, he didn't have that problem. When the red glow enveloped him and faded, a sack stood before him filled with platinum coins. “Well done my friend.” I had to grit my teeth at his success. I was very proud of him but at the same time, jealous. Well, perhaps it wasn't something that could be helped but apparently, willpower does have it's place. With that over, we continued on our way to the keep. [/QUOTE]
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