Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Modern/Delta Green - The Beginning of the End (COMPLETED)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 5500498" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Gothic: Part 11 – Who is Number One?</strong></p><p></p><p>Sorry, sorry, I got sent on a business trip for a week, fell behind on writing story hours, and the baby isn't sleeping. Fortunately we still have several installments to go before I fall totally behind.</p><p></p><p>Thanks to you both for the comments!</p><p></p><p>===============</p><p></p><p>Cobwebs hung from dust covered columns in the great hall. Stone gargoyles squatted motionlessly on the edge of a balcony circling some twenty feet above the floor. Cracked and faded frescoes adorned the domed ceiling, nearly obliterated by centuries of decay. Two great bronze doors stood closed opposite the arched entry. To the left of the entry, a staircase climbed into darkness. A wide hallway extended to the right.</p><p></p><p>Nadasdy stood at the top of the steps, dressed for battle. He wore ancient full plate armor, blood red. A huge sword was in his hand. He held it solemnly, like a warrior statue. And his features, normally jagged with rage, were frozen in a sneer. </p><p></p><p>Hammer and Jim-Bean stood at the center of the hall, a revitalized Archive and Guppy fanned out slightly behind them. </p><p></p><p>They were combat ready. Hammer's pistols were out. Jim-Bean had his submachinegun slung loosely over his shoulder. Guppy's stake shotgun was loaded and ready. Archive had his magical pistol in one hand, the amulet in the other. </p><p></p><p>"It's over Nadasdy," said Hammer. </p><p></p><p>Nadasdy's expression changed slightly. His lips curled in a smile. The rest of his features remained frozen. </p><p></p><p>"It is indeed," he said in his upper class British timbre. "I should thank you. You released me from the Inconnu's grip."</p><p></p><p>"Yeah, yeah," began Jim-Bean, "but see…it's time for a change—"</p><p></p><p>"It is indeed." A husky woman's voice, familiar, interrupted him. Her high heels clicking, Ariadne Hennessey walked over to stand next to Nadasdy in her power suit. "And that's why I gave you this mission."</p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean shook his head and sighed. He knew it. He just knew it. "So let's see…Nadasdy gets erratic, his pretty boy vampires take advantage of the lack of supervision to do whatever they want, they draw too much attention…"</p><p></p><p>Ariadne wore dark sunglasses, her hair up in a bun. "And I send in a desperate team of dupes to do our cleanup work without making it look like open rebellion. You're as sharp as ever, Jimmy."</p><p></p><p>"This isn't the old days," said Jim-Bean, keeping his hand loosely on the grip of the gun. "The Section H I remember didn't have bloodsuckers."</p><p></p><p>If the words had any effect on Nadasdy he didn't show it. Ariadne frowned.</p><p></p><p>"You're right, Jimmy. This isn't the Section H you knew." She encompassed herself and Nadasdy with a sweep of her perfectly manicured hand. "This IS the new Section H. PISCES is overrun with the Shan. You've already encountered Knightsbridge. Our allies may be different than what we're accustomed but they are necessary. I understand your skepticism." She lifted up a folder she held in the other hand. "This is everything on record about Windthrope Manor. All of it. As a gesture of good faith, it's yours if you join us. With Nadasdy restored to his right mind we will have enough firepower to fight back against the Shan."</p><p></p><p>"And if we don't?" asked Jim-Bean.</p><p></p><p>Ariadne shrugged. "You are free to leave. But you'll never survive long out there without our help."</p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean turned to Hammer. "I don't know, guys. What do you think?"</p><p></p><p>The files exploded out of Ariadne's hand as a bullet tore through them. Hammer, pistol still smoking, reloaded. </p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean smiled. "That's a no."</p><p></p><p>Ariadne sighed. "That…was a mistake." </p><p></p><p>Nadasdy looked to the left and right of them, and the entire room ground to life. Gargoyles hopped down from balconies, serpent-headed torches slithered forth, and ornamental suits of armor clanked forward to flank the Count. </p><p></p><p>Hammer danced backwards from the nearest snake-headed statue as it unleashed a gout of flame from one of its torches. He rolled and came up firing. The bullets sparked off its head.</p><p></p><p>Guppy, realizing his shotgun was useless, slung it over his shoulder and drew his pistol. He fired a bullet directly into a gargoyle's head. Nothing.</p><p></p><p>Ariadne drew an obsidian blade from behind her back and hurled it at Jim-Bean. He held out one hand and it clattered to the ground.</p><p></p><p>"It's time," Hammer said to Archive. "We'll give you as much cover as we can."</p><p></p><p>Archive nodded, chanting. He already wore the ring. He hefted Saint Markovia's thighbone in both hands.</p><p></p><p>The sight of it shattered the Count's cool demeanor. He stretched forth an open palm and a blast of flame engulfed the entire hall below.</p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean tried to shield them from most of its effects, but he took the blast head on. He reeled, blown backwards even as the animated statues around him blackened and burst. The Count may have been sane but he was getting messy.</p><p></p><p>Ariadne shook her head, tearing off her sunglasses and releasing the bun in her hair. Odd fibrous strands that looked from a distance like dreadlocks snaked with a life of their own. Her eyes glowed a piercing red.</p><p></p><p>"Don't meet her gaze!" shouted Archive. </p><p></p><p>"How am I supposed to shoot her then?" shouted Hammer.</p><p></p><p>Some of the statues, cracking from the heat, continued to advance. Guppy fired, his bullets only managing to flake their already crumbling exterior. He gave up and ran towards the exit. </p><p></p><p>Guppy cocked his ear as he made his back the way they came. He knew that sound. Boots thumping. Lots of men, hustling in uniform.</p><p></p><p>"Guys!" he shouted over his shoulder. "I think…I think we're not alone in here!"</p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean groggily got to his feet, the melted flesh on his face knitting back together. </p><p></p><p>"Yeah, we KNOW," growled Hammer.</p><p></p><p>"No I mean…I think there's a LOT of people in here with us. Invisible!"</p><p></p><p>Black lightning flashed from the Count's fingertips. Archive held up one hand and the energy dissipated into his palm.</p><p></p><p>"No," snarled the Count. "The Ring of Parting Prevented!"</p><p></p><p>"That's right," said Archive. "And if you know what is, then you know what I'm carrying…"</p><p></p><p>"You still have to deal with me!" Ariadne drew a pistol from her belt and took aim, but before she could get a bead on Archive, Hammer put a bullet between her eyes. </p><p></p><p>If the Count had any affection for Ariadne he didn't react to her death. </p><p></p><p>Archive advanced as more energy blasted from the Count's free palm. Again it had no effect. </p><p></p><p>Archive swung the thighbone but Nadasdy easily blocked it with his blade. "I am nearly four hundred years old! I have fought more wars than your country has fought in its lifetime! You're no warrior!" He shoved Archive, who stumbled back to a nearby wall. Nadasdy lifted his sword overhead with both hands. "I'll show you what a warrior can—"</p><p></p><p>The Count froze in mid-swing, gasping. A bladed cross jutted from his chest. </p><p></p><p>"Can do?" said a man who materialized out of thin air behind him. "Why yes," said Agent Raphael. "Let's show him what a real warrior can do, shall we?"</p><p></p><p>Lean and wiry, Agent Raphael was filled with enthusiasm for his task; indeed, his dark eyes burned with divine fervor. He was dressed in an expensive suit, a full-body cloak covering his form, a golden sword in the shape of a cross in both hands. The click of cocked machineguns echoed around them. </p><p></p><p>"Damn," swore Jim-Bean. "Hands of Glory." </p><p></p><p>The magically-infused severed hands of criminals rendered the wielders invisible. They were surrounded by invisible PISCES agents. PISCES had sent an OCCULUS team, which mixed magic with technology to take down prey. </p><p></p><p>Jim-Bean pointed at the papers on Windthrope Manor, now scattered across the steps. They burst into flame. At least there would be no evidence left behind.</p><p></p><p>Nadasdy fell to his knees as Agent Raphael drove the blade deeper through his chest. He was close to Archive. "Run," Nadasdy whispered. "I'll hold them off for as long as I can."</p><p></p><p>Archive stumbled to his feet and ran down the steps just as Raphael, using both hands, rammed the sword even further into Nadasdy. The Count burst in a blast of red mist, dissipating into the air.</p><p></p><p>"Go!" shouted Archive, running past his companions and towards Guppy, who was ahead of them. "Go!"</p><p></p><p>Hammer and Jim-Bean hesitated long enough to see a massive, human-shaped figure made of stone, steel, and lead appear out of thin air. Carved, magic runes inlaid with precious metals adorned its head, limbs and torso. The runes flared up into a variety of brilliant colors and suddenly they saw the other eight men with their weapons at the ready.</p><p></p><p>Hammer and Jim-Bean ran after Archive as gunfire erupted all around them.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 5500498, member: 3285"] [b]Gothic: Part 11 – Who is Number One?[/b] Sorry, sorry, I got sent on a business trip for a week, fell behind on writing story hours, and the baby isn't sleeping. Fortunately we still have several installments to go before I fall totally behind. Thanks to you both for the comments! =============== Cobwebs hung from dust covered columns in the great hall. Stone gargoyles squatted motionlessly on the edge of a balcony circling some twenty feet above the floor. Cracked and faded frescoes adorned the domed ceiling, nearly obliterated by centuries of decay. Two great bronze doors stood closed opposite the arched entry. To the left of the entry, a staircase climbed into darkness. A wide hallway extended to the right. Nadasdy stood at the top of the steps, dressed for battle. He wore ancient full plate armor, blood red. A huge sword was in his hand. He held it solemnly, like a warrior statue. And his features, normally jagged with rage, were frozen in a sneer. Hammer and Jim-Bean stood at the center of the hall, a revitalized Archive and Guppy fanned out slightly behind them. They were combat ready. Hammer's pistols were out. Jim-Bean had his submachinegun slung loosely over his shoulder. Guppy's stake shotgun was loaded and ready. Archive had his magical pistol in one hand, the amulet in the other. "It's over Nadasdy," said Hammer. Nadasdy's expression changed slightly. His lips curled in a smile. The rest of his features remained frozen. "It is indeed," he said in his upper class British timbre. "I should thank you. You released me from the Inconnu's grip." "Yeah, yeah," began Jim-Bean, "but see…it's time for a change—" "It is indeed." A husky woman's voice, familiar, interrupted him. Her high heels clicking, Ariadne Hennessey walked over to stand next to Nadasdy in her power suit. "And that's why I gave you this mission." Jim-Bean shook his head and sighed. He knew it. He just knew it. "So let's see…Nadasdy gets erratic, his pretty boy vampires take advantage of the lack of supervision to do whatever they want, they draw too much attention…" Ariadne wore dark sunglasses, her hair up in a bun. "And I send in a desperate team of dupes to do our cleanup work without making it look like open rebellion. You're as sharp as ever, Jimmy." "This isn't the old days," said Jim-Bean, keeping his hand loosely on the grip of the gun. "The Section H I remember didn't have bloodsuckers." If the words had any effect on Nadasdy he didn't show it. Ariadne frowned. "You're right, Jimmy. This isn't the Section H you knew." She encompassed herself and Nadasdy with a sweep of her perfectly manicured hand. "This IS the new Section H. PISCES is overrun with the Shan. You've already encountered Knightsbridge. Our allies may be different than what we're accustomed but they are necessary. I understand your skepticism." She lifted up a folder she held in the other hand. "This is everything on record about Windthrope Manor. All of it. As a gesture of good faith, it's yours if you join us. With Nadasdy restored to his right mind we will have enough firepower to fight back against the Shan." "And if we don't?" asked Jim-Bean. Ariadne shrugged. "You are free to leave. But you'll never survive long out there without our help." Jim-Bean turned to Hammer. "I don't know, guys. What do you think?" The files exploded out of Ariadne's hand as a bullet tore through them. Hammer, pistol still smoking, reloaded. Jim-Bean smiled. "That's a no." Ariadne sighed. "That…was a mistake." Nadasdy looked to the left and right of them, and the entire room ground to life. Gargoyles hopped down from balconies, serpent-headed torches slithered forth, and ornamental suits of armor clanked forward to flank the Count. Hammer danced backwards from the nearest snake-headed statue as it unleashed a gout of flame from one of its torches. He rolled and came up firing. The bullets sparked off its head. Guppy, realizing his shotgun was useless, slung it over his shoulder and drew his pistol. He fired a bullet directly into a gargoyle's head. Nothing. Ariadne drew an obsidian blade from behind her back and hurled it at Jim-Bean. He held out one hand and it clattered to the ground. "It's time," Hammer said to Archive. "We'll give you as much cover as we can." Archive nodded, chanting. He already wore the ring. He hefted Saint Markovia's thighbone in both hands. The sight of it shattered the Count's cool demeanor. He stretched forth an open palm and a blast of flame engulfed the entire hall below. Jim-Bean tried to shield them from most of its effects, but he took the blast head on. He reeled, blown backwards even as the animated statues around him blackened and burst. The Count may have been sane but he was getting messy. Ariadne shook her head, tearing off her sunglasses and releasing the bun in her hair. Odd fibrous strands that looked from a distance like dreadlocks snaked with a life of their own. Her eyes glowed a piercing red. "Don't meet her gaze!" shouted Archive. "How am I supposed to shoot her then?" shouted Hammer. Some of the statues, cracking from the heat, continued to advance. Guppy fired, his bullets only managing to flake their already crumbling exterior. He gave up and ran towards the exit. Guppy cocked his ear as he made his back the way they came. He knew that sound. Boots thumping. Lots of men, hustling in uniform. "Guys!" he shouted over his shoulder. "I think…I think we're not alone in here!" Jim-Bean groggily got to his feet, the melted flesh on his face knitting back together. "Yeah, we KNOW," growled Hammer. "No I mean…I think there's a LOT of people in here with us. Invisible!" Black lightning flashed from the Count's fingertips. Archive held up one hand and the energy dissipated into his palm. "No," snarled the Count. "The Ring of Parting Prevented!" "That's right," said Archive. "And if you know what is, then you know what I'm carrying…" "You still have to deal with me!" Ariadne drew a pistol from her belt and took aim, but before she could get a bead on Archive, Hammer put a bullet between her eyes. If the Count had any affection for Ariadne he didn't react to her death. Archive advanced as more energy blasted from the Count's free palm. Again it had no effect. Archive swung the thighbone but Nadasdy easily blocked it with his blade. "I am nearly four hundred years old! I have fought more wars than your country has fought in its lifetime! You're no warrior!" He shoved Archive, who stumbled back to a nearby wall. Nadasdy lifted his sword overhead with both hands. "I'll show you what a warrior can—" The Count froze in mid-swing, gasping. A bladed cross jutted from his chest. "Can do?" said a man who materialized out of thin air behind him. "Why yes," said Agent Raphael. "Let's show him what a real warrior can do, shall we?" Lean and wiry, Agent Raphael was filled with enthusiasm for his task; indeed, his dark eyes burned with divine fervor. He was dressed in an expensive suit, a full-body cloak covering his form, a golden sword in the shape of a cross in both hands. The click of cocked machineguns echoed around them. "Damn," swore Jim-Bean. "Hands of Glory." The magically-infused severed hands of criminals rendered the wielders invisible. They were surrounded by invisible PISCES agents. PISCES had sent an OCCULUS team, which mixed magic with technology to take down prey. Jim-Bean pointed at the papers on Windthrope Manor, now scattered across the steps. They burst into flame. At least there would be no evidence left behind. Nadasdy fell to his knees as Agent Raphael drove the blade deeper through his chest. He was close to Archive. "Run," Nadasdy whispered. "I'll hold them off for as long as I can." Archive stumbled to his feet and ran down the steps just as Raphael, using both hands, rammed the sword even further into Nadasdy. The Count burst in a blast of red mist, dissipating into the air. "Go!" shouted Archive, running past his companions and towards Guppy, who was ahead of them. "Go!" Hammer and Jim-Bean hesitated long enough to see a massive, human-shaped figure made of stone, steel, and lead appear out of thin air. Carved, magic runes inlaid with precious metals adorned its head, limbs and torso. The runes flared up into a variety of brilliant colors and suddenly they saw the other eight men with their weapons at the ready. Hammer and Jim-Bean ran after Archive as gunfire erupted all around them. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Modern/Delta Green - The Beginning of the End (COMPLETED)
Top